Military Kids Day Highlights Service at Kentucky Capitol

Annual Capitol event honors children of military families while gaining recognition as a national model for civic education.

Military families from across Kentucky will once again gather at the state Capitol this winter as the Kentucky Senate hosts Military Kids Day 2026 on Thursday, February 19. The annual event honors the children and grandchildren of U.S. military service members with a day focused on civic education, recognition, and hands-on learning about military and public service.

Now a well-established tradition, Military Kids Day brings together families representing active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired, and disabled American veterans from every branch of the Armed Forces. Participants are invited to explore the Capitol campus, interact with lawmakers, and experience how state government functions—all while being recognized for the sacrifices military families make every day.

Limited Capacity Due to Capitol Renovations

This year’s event will operate with a reduced capacity due to ongoing renovations at the Kentucky State Capitol. As a result, participation is capped at 150 children and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Organizers are strongly encouraging early registration. Children will not serve as legislative pages this year, and all activities will take place in the Capitol Annex and designated outdoor areas across the Capitol campus.

Families interested in attending must register by emailing Senate Clerk Donna Holiday at [email protected] with the names and ages of participating children, along with the names of parents or guardians.

A Program Drawing National Attention

Holiday, who has helped coordinate Military Kids Day since its inception alongside Sen. Jimmy Higdon’s office and key stakeholders such as the Kentucky National Guard, said the program is gaining attention well beyond Kentucky.

“Due to increased interest from clerks across the country—who had heard discussions about our program during past ASLCS Civics Education Committee meetings—I was invited to present at the 2025 ASLCS Professional Development Seminar in Santa Fe, New Mexico,” Holiday said.

The program has become a model for how legislatures can strengthen civic engagement through hands-on learning.

“This program not only involves students, but also engages their families,” Holiday added. “School districts, including Fort Knox Schools, have incorporated participation into their fourth-grade curriculum as part of students’ study of Kentucky and its government. This program is having a huge positive impact, and that’s a legacy worth celebrating.”

A Full Day of Civic and Military Education

Military Kids Day begins at 7:45 a.m. with check-in at the Capitol Annex, followed by a live meeting of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. From there, participants will rotate through interactive activities across the Capitol campus.

Highlights include aviation-themed games, flight simulators, and exhibits hosted by the Kentucky Aviation Museum, as well as static military displays sponsored by the Kentucky National Guard. A campus-wide scavenger hunt will guide participants to landmarks such as the Gold Star Families Memorial and the Floral Clock.

Lunch will be provided by the Kentucky National Guard Association before a formal program featuring guest speakers, including Kentucky Treasurer Mark Metcalf, a veteran of Iraq who served 29 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2020. Remarks will also be delivered by members of the General Assembly, military leaders, and Mrs. Karen Lamberton, wife of Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, the adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard.

A Bittersweet Milestone for a Founding Senator

This year’s event marks Sen. Jimmy Higdon’s final Military Kids Day as a member of the Kentucky Senate. Higdon founded the program, which has grown into a signature event honoring military families statewide.

“We are deeply grateful for Senator Higdon’s leadership and commitment to military families,” said Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton. “His vision has created a meaningful opportunity for children across Kentucky to connect, learn, and be celebrated.”

Higdon reflected on the program’s origins and impact.

“This is going to be a bittersweet day for me when I get to see all these great young men and women enjoying a day at their state capitol one last time,” Higdon said. “It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to participate in this special event.”

He credited the idea to a conversation with Molly Mattingly of Bardstown, the wife of Col. Steve Mattingly of the Kentucky National Guard, whose children participated in the inaugural event.

“None of it would be possible without the amazing men and women who serve in our armed forces and everyone behind the scenes who works to put this day together,” Higdon added.

Despite this year’s logistical challenges, organizers say the mission remains the same: honoring military kids and giving them the spotlight they deserve.