The Dandelion was selected in 1998 as the official flower of Military Brats.  The symbolism for those who grew up military is remarkable, and we think you’ll agree when you read the full story! The idea began as a thread in the alt.culture.military-brats Usenet Newsgroup and was chosen above other possible flowers during a vote here at the Military Brats Registry.  The complete history is available in an Adobe PDF file (Click to download. You’ll need the free Adobe PDF reader)

The great thing about dandelions is that, even though they are considered a “weed”, they do not take nutrients from their surroundings. Dandelions do not dare to be the submissive plant, nor the dominant plant. They live as equals in their surroundings. Look at the grass around the dandelion. Is it not just as green as it was before? The grass and the dandelion live side by side. When a dandelion is plucked and a wish is made as the seeds are tenderly blown, the seeds float on the wind, finding a new home. There, the seeds find a new home and flourish, living side by side with their new neighbors. Only a dandelion can understand another dandelion and the journey the dandelion has been on. That is the Military Brat. And it is why we adopted the dandelion as the official flower of Brats.  Military Brats know what other Brats endure and feel. Only Brats understand. No matter how many degrees a civilian holds, the Military Brat life is one that one MUST live…MUST experience to fully understand. Brats will, like we were trained, help other Brats…unnoticed and unheralded. After all, it is our “job”.
— Rae Shue Blalack