Press Release - First Lady Jill Biden Unveils New Installation of The Military Children's Corner in Celebration of Month of the Military Child

April 16, 2024

As part of Dr. Biden's Joining Forces initiative, The Military Children's Corner features artwork from ten military-connected children

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of Month of the Military Child, First Lady Jill Biden announced today a new installment of The Military Children's Corner, an art display at the White House dedicated to our nation's military children. Titled A View from My Window, Dr. Biden's second installation features artwork created by ten military children that depicts their unique experiences serving alongside their parent or family member in uniform.

"Through every new deployment, neighborhood, and school, military children serve alongside their parents. In the artwork we feature in The Military Children's Corner, we see a glimpse of the world through their eyes," said First Lady Jill Biden. "This Month of the Military Child – and every month – may we recognize their service and sacrifice, and continue giving military children the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve."

Unveiled in September 2023, The Military Children's Corner is part of Dr. Biden's Joining Forces initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. This is a continuation of Dr. Biden's tradition of leveraging art as an educational tool to help Americans learn about the experiences of the four million military-connected children whose parents are active-duty service members, National Guard or reservists, or veterans. A View from my Window was created in partnership with the National Military Family Association (NMFA) and Bloom, a program of NMFA dedicated to elevating the voices of military teens.

The Military Children's Corner features artwork from the following military children:

  • Addison, age 14, Joint Base Charleston – Summerville, SC
  • Ayslin, age 15, White Sands Missile Range – Farmington, NM
  • Elisabeth, age 16, Fort Leavenworth – Leavenworth, KS
  • Elyse, age 13, Army Garrison Wiesbaden – Wiesbaden, Germany
  • Evelyn, age 17, United Nations Command Korea – Seoul, South Korea
  • Gabriella, age 17, U.S. Army – Flower Mound, TX
  • Hannah, age 16, Naval Base Kitsap – Silverdale, WA
  • Lara, age 15, Pentagon – Arlington, VA
  • Sammi, age 13, Pentagon – Arlington, VA
  • Scarlett, age 12, Fort Knox – Fort Knox, KY

Images of The Military Children's Corner are available to download on The White House's Flickr page.

The Military Children's Corner is located in the East Colonnade and is among the first displays visitors see when they enter the East Wing of the White House. The display case was designed to replicate the look and feel of bulletin boards commonly found in elementary schools, making this White House display welcoming to visitors of all ages.

As a military mom and educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden has previously debuted temporary art installations at the White House to help Americans learn more about the unique experiences of our military-connected families. In April 2022, to celebrate the Month of the Military Child, Dr. Biden partnered with Military Child Education Coalition to create a display in the East Wing featuring artwork created by military-connected children across the country and those stationed around the world. In April 2023, Dr. Biden debuted an installation inspired by a poem called "My Military Suitcase," which featured miniature wooden suitcases designed by military and veteran children to reflect their journeys as military-connected families. In September 2023, Dr. Biden unveiled a permanent White House art display dedicated to military-connected children.

Background on the First Lady's Joining Forces initiative
Joining Forces is Dr. Biden's initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. Guided by the life experiences and the perspectives voiced during in-person and virtual listening sessions with military-connected families and stakeholders, the work and priorities of Joining Forces centers on the needs of this population in the areas of: Economic Opportunity; Military Child Education; and Health and Well-Being.

As First Lady, Dr. Biden has visited over 25 military installations; worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 30 events with the military-connected community; and helped coordinate the Administration's efforts to increase and raise awareness of resources and support for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors.

Jill Biden, Press Release - First Lady Jill Biden Unveils New Installation of The Military Children's Corner in Celebration of Month of the Military Child Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/371242

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