Military Youth Recognized by Maryland National Guard Leadership
By Sgt. Allen Griffith
FORT MEADE, Md. – The adjutant general for Maryland signed the Month of the Military Child Proclamation at the Baron J. De Kalk Reserve Center, April 22, 2023, during the Roll, Walk, Run For Teen Wellness event organized by Blue Star Families of Baltimore and Chesapeake Region.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, commander of the Maryland National Guard, asked members of the community to remember children’s roles in strengthening the military family.
“The Maryland National Guard is thankful for the positive enthusiasm of the military children as we keep moving forward,” said Birckhead. “We are committed to maintaining excellence in schools, youth services, and childcare to ensure that families always receive the best programming no matter where their next adventure takes them.”
Community organizations hosted activities, a shoe giveaway, and provided food for participants at the U.S. Army Reserve 200th Military Police Command’s facilities. Volunteers from Maryland National Guard Child Youth Program helped facilitate the event.
The event was the largest collaborative effort between the Maryland National Guard and the Army Reserves to date with over 200 participants. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Lorna Mahlock, deputy director of cybersecurity for combat support for the National Security Agency, Maryland State Senator Dawn D. Gile for District 33 in Anne Arundel County, and Kathy Roth Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, were also in attendance.
The Department of Defense observes April as the Month of the Military Child. Events are conducted throughout the month in order to recognize and celebrate the youngest members of our military families.
The event’s theme was “National Guard Kids: Rising to the Challenge,” in response to the obstacles faced by military teens such as family deployments, relocating to new duty stations every few years, isolation from peers, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the biggest challenges facing our military youth is connections,” said Melvin Jackson, the director of family programs, 99th Readiness Division.
Jackson’s team focuses on activities and events that are designed to foster healthy connections and be beneficial to their military youth.
“Coming outdoors, being present with the sunshine, trees, and grass under your feet while laughing, talking, and exercising with other military youth will inevitably improve one’s well-being,” said Dr. Andrea Daniels, family programs coordinator, 99th Readiness Division.