Hampton Roads celebrates the Month of the Military Child through art

ByMC2MichaelBotts

Eachyear,Aprilissetasideasamilitarychildappreciation month, officially known as the Month of the MilitaryChild.

Withitsstartinthemid-1980s thePentagonandother military support organizations and agencies use the month to recognize military kids for their sacrifice and braveryonthehomefront.

“The Art of the Military Child event is an opportunity for us to appreciate the talent and creativity of our military-connected children, and to acknowledge the supporttheyreceive,”saidCaptainMichaelWitherspoon, Commander, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story “This event is a reminder and a message to our military-connected children that they are not alone They have a community of advocates educators classmates, and friends, who are here to support them every stepoftheway.

The exhibit provides a vital outlet to recognize the talents of military children and acknowledge the challengesthattheyfacebecausethey“servetoo.”

“It is an honor to be part of an event that celebrates the resilience and creativity of our military children,” said Witherspoon “As we all know, the life of a military childcanbechallenging Theycopewithconstantchange, frequentmoves,andtheabsenceofaparentwhoisserving our country. But amongst those challenges, military children continue to demonstrate remarkable strength, courage,andadaptability.”

The art on exhibit was far more significant than some sketches and paint strokes on paper It is an opportunity forVirginiaBeachstudentstoexpressthemselvesasthey focusonmilitarylifefromachild’spointofview

“With approximately 12,000 military-connected students in our school division whose families support some of the most important military functions in the world, the Month of the Military Child holds special meaning for us,” Dr Aaron Spence, the Superintendent for Virginia Beach City Public Schools “Our students share their unique stories through their art, so I invite everyone to see this exhibit and connect with families whoplayavitalroleinourcommunity,nationandworld.”

Editorial Staff

MilitaryEditor | MC1 Maddelin Hamm 757-322-2853 | maddelin.v.hamm.mil@us.navy.mil

AssistantEditor | MC2 Leo Katsareas 757-322-2853 | news@flagshipnews.com

GraphicDesigner | TeresaWalter teresa.walter@virginiamedia.com

Contributing Staff

Ninoshka Basantes Travis Kuykendall Kaitlyn Hewett MC3 Jordan Grimes 757-322-2853 | news@flagshipnews.com Flagship, Inc. MNVMilitary Manager | Ski Miller ski.miller@virginiamedia.com

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