Dear Editor,

War takes its toll not only on the service members who fight in the field, but also on the families who wait and worry at home. More than 155,000 kids have at least one parent who is deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. This astounding number doesn't include those experiencing a parent's routine, but often lengthy, deployments supporting missions elsewhere around the world.

The National Military Family Association will be hosting its sixth year of Operation Purple Summer Camps nationwide for kids with deployed parents. The Operation Purple program is the only camp program in existence that brings together kids from all military branches and provides them with tools to deal with war-related stress.

We invite you to visit one or more of these local camps (www.operationpurple.org lists camp locations/dates across the country) and learn first-hand what it’s like to grow up with a parent in the military and experience the challenges of deployment. We’re open to story ideas and can work with you to create a highly visual and engaging news piece.

Our team will follow-up with you via phone to discuss your interest in fitting this story into related coverage you have planned for this summer, or creating a unique stand-alone story. In the meantime, please contact Jason Lourie with any questions at 312.240.2925 or jason.lourie@edelman.com.

Thank you!