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Military Family and Community Events

Images feature families and personnel gathered for military ceremonies and community events, reflecting military life and support.

Danny Hockman, post commander with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2582, gives a speech at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Virginia, May 27, 2022. The Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, opened in 2004 as a resting place for more than 12,750 veterans and their family members. Memorial Day was officially established by Congress as a national observance in 1971.

SAMSON, AL (June 14, 2022) Seaman Second Class Tceollyar Simmons memorial service. On November 19, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Seaman Second Class Tceollyar, missing from World War II.

Inter-American Defense College Leadership, students and staff participate in a 9/11 Never Forget Challenge on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Sept. 9, 2022. The event included a 2,200 steps per teams in relay mode activity to remember the fallen, the injured and everyone who was impacted by the events of 9/11. The steps challenge was designed simulate the equivalent steps of the World Trade Center Tower.

Retired U.S. Army Air Forces Chief Master Sgt. Mel Jenner, 452nd Bomber Group radio operator, stands with Kim Lybrand, Jenner family friend, outside the National World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 14, 2022. Jenner began his 26 year military career by training as a radio operator at what was then known as Keesler Army Airfield.

221006-N-VX158-1037 SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 6, 2022) Musician 2nd Class Owen Sczerba, right, a native of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Musician 3rd Class Thomas Auger, a native of Annapolis, Md., perform for a crowd in the Castro district during San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW). SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet their Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teams and experience Americas Sea services. During Fleet Week, service members participate in various community service events, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community, and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Task Force Los Angeles, begin the Rick Crocker memorial 5k at Santa Monica, California, during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 26, 2022. Ricardo Crocker was a 10 year veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department and a Marine Corps Reserve Major who was killed in action in Iraq, 2005. The purpose of Fleet Week is to showcase the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team and give back to the community with events, static displays, and personal interactions between service members and the public.

220504-N-N0485-0001 NEWPORT, R.I. (May 4, 2022) Lt. Christopher Giraldi, an Officer Candidate School (OCS) class officer, provides a site visit tour for Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) students from Buffalo, New York, at Officer Training Command Newport (OTCN), Rhode Island, May 4. OCS morally, mentally, and physically develops civilians and fleet sailors into newly commissioned officers and imbues them with the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment to prepare graduates for service in the fleet as Naval officers.

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Cena Duran, commander of the 1st Infantry Division Band, conducts the band members during an informal rehearsal at Vilnius, Lithuania, Aug. 26, 2022. The Big Red One Band, is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly performing alongside NATO allies during a historical, inaugural military tattoo hosted by Lithuanian Armed Forces.

U.S. Air Force service members from the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, participate in the final event of the 11th annual the 24 hour TACP challenge run at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, May 1, 2022. Service members participate in remembrance for Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier who was killed in action near Geresk, Afghanistan in 2003.

Roy Rexroat, horticulture and facilities care director, Arlington National Cemetery, provides directions to visitors participating in the first Flowers of Remembrance Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 28, 2022. Visitors were given the opportunity to cross the plaza and place a flower in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This event pays homage to the first official Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, which originally took place at the cemetery in 1868 as a way to honor the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the Civil War.

Clemson University's Army and Air Force ROTC units held a joint ceremony to commission 33 second lieutenants into military service, May 11, 2022. Eighteen students received comissions into the Army, 14 into the Air Force, and one received a commission into the Space Force. After the ceremony the new officers recieved their first salutes during a Silver Dollar Salute ceremony in Military Heritage Plaza. (Photo by Ken Scar)

220812-N-RB283-10249MIDPAC hosts Mental Health Fair with mental health professionals to provide resources for sailors at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 14, 2022.

High school and community influencers receive a first-hand account of Marine Corp boot camp receiving day during the Educators Workshop at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California on June 27, 2023. The Educators' Workshop program provides selected educators, coaches, directors and influential community members with an experiential opportunity to see how the Marine Corps transforms young men and women into Marines. The program is designed to demystify recruit and officer candidate training, foster stronger relationships among recruiting personnel and the communities they serve, and increase advocacy among influencers who help shape decisions of young men and women.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Pima County, Arizona's border area with Mexico, where he joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel for meetings, tours, flights, inspections

060826-F-0193C-015. Base: Fort Wainwright State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

230329-N-QW460-1025 SEOUL, Republic of Korea (March 30, 2023) U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) visit a food street during a Morale, Welfare and Recreation tour of Seoul, Republic of Korea. NIMCSG is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Families and friends of Alpha Company, 142nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade wait to greet their soldiers who returned from the U.S. Central Command theater Aug. 11, 2022 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Alpha company served a nine-month rotation in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield conducting sustainment operations that ensured the warfighter and supported troops in contact received the supplies and materiel they needed.

Mimosa Whiting, assigned to the Communication & Outreach Division at the Naval History and Heritage Command and MMA1(SS) George Horning, assigned to the Historic Ship Nautilus, interact with guests on Saturday, 25 June 2022 during the commissioning of USS Montana (SSN-794) at Naval Station Norfolk. Montana is the 21st Virginia Class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS). Montana is the second U.S. Navy ship to honor the state. The first USS Montana (ACR-13), an armored cruiser, was also built at Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned July 1908. She served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, landed Marines during unrest in Haiti in 1914 and escorted convoys during World War I. She was decommissioned in 1921. Two other battleships (BB-51 and BB-67) were to have been named Montana however, were cancelled in 1922 and 1943 respectively.

The Idaho National Guard participated the Idaho Veterans Parade in downtown Boise, Nov. 5, 2022. The parade's mission is to recognize the sacrifices and honor the service of all Armed Forces veterans, past and present.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William Betts and Chief Master Sgt. Jessica McWain, the commander and command chief of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, celebrate the U.S. Air Forces 75th Anniversary, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept.18, 2022. The USAF official separated from the U.S. Army with the signing of the National Security Act of 1947 by former U.S. President Harry Truman. Fly, Fight and Win - Airpower Anytime, Anywhere!

The Minnesota Air National Guard Flight of Honor Ceremony was held at the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn., 9 Oct. 2022. The ceremony recognized past and present Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing for notable professional achievements, service and or heroism.

061019-N-5531C-003. Base: Raleigh State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: NAVCO

Great Lakes Search and Rescue Detachment - 26-HK-144-113. Hurricane Katrina

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Mason Stanley, a communications student with Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, Training and Education Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, stands ready to assist participants of Joshua Tree 55 at Joshua Tree National Park, California, April 30, 2022. The Joshua Tree 55 is a 55 mile-long bicycle ride from Knott's Sky Park in Twentynine Palms to Keys View Joshua Tree National Park intended to bring the Twentynine Palms community together.

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Corps Recruiting District interact with locals through a pull up competition at static displays during Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore, Maryland, Sept. 9, 2022. Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore is an annual public event that celebrates the contributions of the U.S. sea services and maritime capabilities from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. More than 2,300 service members participated in Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore 2022 engaging and assisting with ship tours, live bands and static equipment displays.

U.S. Air Force Col. Catherine "Cat" Logan, commander of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and the 11th Wing, provides the opening remarks at the Sentinels Celebration, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, 2022. The Sentinels Celebration was held in honor of the base reaching Full Operational Capability after the first-ever Department of Defense lead service transfer in 2020.

061103-N-4515N-004. Base: Naval Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

221028-N-VQ841-1129 PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala (Oct. 28, 2022) Guatemalan Red Cross first responders practice applying a torniquet as part of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) training at the Marine Infantry Brigade Airfield in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2022. Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

A child holds a sign welcoming crew members of five ships from the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) battle group upon their arrival at the station. The vessels have returned from the Persian Gulf area after being deployed during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Naval Station, Mayport State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

061219-N-1831S-065. Base: Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The family of U.S. Air Force Col. Rusty Ballard, the commander of the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, receives flowers during a change of command ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, April 7, 2022. Outgoing wing commander Col. Daniel McDonough then assumed command of the Illinois Air National Guard from Maj. Gen. Peter Nezamis.

U.S. Marines and their families celebrate the 125th Celebration of the Marine Corps Exchange at the MCX parking lot on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Sept. 17, 2022. The MCX was approved by the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, and the first establishment of the first Marine Corps Exchange at Marine Barracks, Boston, Massachusetts in 1897.

Valentina Geczy, age 4, shows how much she misses her Dad, an F-16CJ pilot at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina., June 30, 1999. The base welcomed home pilots deployed to Europe in suppport of NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

104th Fighter Wing Airmen and spouses board a Maine Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker for a combined incentive flight and spouse lift at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, October 27, 2022. Spouse lifts, as well as incentive flights, are important opportunities to boost morale and give spouses the unique chance of experiencing the 104FW mission firsthand while aircrew members accomplish essential training tasks.

Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) - Marine Safety Office St. Louis - 26-HK-121-151. Hurricane Katrina

061215-N-6827R-022. Base: Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines and their families celebrate the 125th Celebration of the Marine Corps Exchange at the MCX parking lot on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Sept. 17, 2022. The MCX was approved by the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, and the first establishment of the first Marine Corps Exchange at Marine Barracks, Boston, Massachusetts in 1897.

Operation Toy Drop-Korea kicked off registration on 1 December 2022. Military service members across South Korea were able to sign-up for three events - Danish Marksmanship, Norwegian Foot March, and Airborne Jumps. These service members donated toys to benefit local orphanages and children of service members. Operation Toy Drop-Korea combines readiness training with give back to the community as SOCKOR, along with USFK, UNC, our allies and teammates, celebrate the holiday season. (SOCKOR photo by PFC Haon Park).

220911-N-AS200-5012 - POINT MUGU, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2022) - Mrs. Sarah Stevenson performs the National Anthem during a 9/11 ceremony onboard Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu. NBVC is a strategically located Naval installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and 80 tenants.

Veterans Day protest against the war in Iraq

060104-A-0405-B-001. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. William Magill, Air Force Recruiting Service, flight chief, left, speaks with Emily Smith, Air Education and Training Command civic leader, right, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, as part of a multi-day immersion tour Sept. 7, 2022. During this part of the tour, civic leaders were introduced to multiple recruiting services such as Air National Guard or Reserves, enlisted accession recruiting and U.S. Space Force.

The Blue Angels are currently conducting winter training at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, California, in preparation for the upcoming 2024 air show season. Navy

061027-N-8909B-019. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

050906-A-0575B-114. Subject Operation/Series: SWARMER Base: Samarra State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AA)

U.S. Navy Lt. Michael Carpenter, chaplain, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, delivers a sermon during the Annual Easter Sunrise Service, Landing Zone Eagle, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 18, 2022. The service was open to service members and their families, and was held in celebration of Easter Sunday.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christine Permenter, a musician with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Band, sings during an open public performance to honor World War II veterans and the people of Netherlands as they participate in the 78th year commemoration of Operation Market Garden at Het Goeie Leven Campground, Eerde, Netherlands, Sept. 16, 2022. The musicians of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Band performed at different public venues throughout Netherlands to commemorate Market Garden 78 and continue to build U.S. strong and enduring relationship with the people of Netherlands.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken tours evacuation operations at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on September 8, 2021.

Visitors to The Great Texas Airshow tour the A-26 Invader static display Apr. 23, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The U.S. Air Force is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a The Great Texas Airshow as a key event. The airshow features the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds performing for people to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Forces premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The Miami Recruiting Battalion from the U.S. Army Recruiting Command with participation from the 301st Military Police Company U.S. Army Reserve in Puerto Rico, had a booth set up at the event with the intent to educate seniors about the military and inform them of the benefits, resources, and provide guidance to all those who would like to join.

220723-N-UF592-1017 SINGAPORE (July 23, 2022) Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) walk to Merlion Park during a Singapore city tour sponsored by the ships Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) committee. During port visits, MWR events give Sailors the chance to explore and learn about the countries they visit. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mimosa Whiting, assigned to the Communication & Outreach Division at the Naval History and Heritage Command, interacts with guests on Saturday, 25 June 2022 during the commissioning of USS Montana (SSN-794) at Naval Station Norfolk. Montana is the 21st Virginia Class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS). Montana is the second U.S. Navy ship to honor the state. The first USS Montana (ACR-13), an armored cruiser, was also built at Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned July 1908. She served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, landed Marines during unrest in Haiti in 1914 and escorted convoys during World War I. She was decommissioned in 1921. Two other battleships (BB-51 and BB-67) were to have been named Montana however, were cancelled in 1922 and 1943 respectively.

Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge - New Orleans Flood Operations - 26-HK-398-92. Hurricane Katrina

061127-N-5459S-009. Base: Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: NORFOLK ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ARMO

More than 500 Airmen assigned to the 324th Training Squadron graduated from Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept 7-8, 2022. Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, reviewed the ceremony.

051230-A-5011J-003. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Soldiers with the 228th Engineer Company, 337th Engineer Battalion, 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, arrive home after a nine-month deployment to the Middle East. They arrived at Harrisburg International Airport and were driven to Fort Indiantown Gap where they were reunited with their loved ones. They were also greeted by senior Pennsylvania National Guard leaders including Maj. Gen. Mark McCormack, commander of the 28th Infantry Division, and Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, Deputy Adjutant General-Army.

Logistics Readiness Center Rheinland-Pfalz Director Greg Terry and LRC Rheinland-Pfalz Chief of Plans and Operations T.C. James discuss lessons learned with Kaiserslautern Military Community fire inspectors following a fire drill exercise at the LRC Rheinland-Pfalz headquarters on Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, July 1.

Lisa Michelle Almond, an assistant principal at North Stafford High School, rings the bell during the Educators Workshop at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina, January 11, 2024. The bells that are placed in front of each battalion serve as a reminder of the history, heritage and traditions of the United States Naval Service and serve as the rite of passage of recruits becoming Marines. The workshop is a program that invites select educators and community influencers onto MCRD Parris Island to provide insight on how the Marine Corps transforms young men and women into United States Marines.

Battle of Pont den Barona, Moors and Christians, "Es Firó", Soller, Sierra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, balearic islands, spain.

Signs express the sentiments of well-wishers gathered at a ceremony to welcome home LT. Robert Wetzel, LT. Lawrence Slade, and LT. Jeffrey Zaun. The three Navy pilots' aircraft were shot down over Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and the men held as prisoners of war until their release on March 4th. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Families greet Soldiers assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division after a redeployment ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 29, 2022. During their deployment, the 1st ABCT trained at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, and completed Combined Resolve XVII at Joint Multinational Readiness Center with 11 other NATO allies and partners to enhance interoperability and readiness.

Service members, civilians and veterans pay their final respects to the remains of five veterans during an unaccompanied funeral service at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 30, 2022. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs works jointly with the federally recognized non-profit organization Missing in American Project in locating, identifying and interring the unclaimed cremated remains of veterans with full honors and ceremony. (Alaska National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by The Army Community Services at Camp Darby, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome. Left, Shavonn B. Jones, ACS Generalist USAG Italy, gives a speech during during the event. Camp Darby, Italy, Apr. 05, 2022.

040916-M-2697B-033. Base: Mcas, Beaufort State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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