When leaders, educators and students gathered in the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda April 1 to kick off the Month of the Military Child, keynote speakers used one word to describe military children: resilient.
“Without a doubt, they are incredible, their resilience, their self-sacrifice are second to none,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general. “One key part of the military family is the military children, and they are really the heroes.”
Beck, along with Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger, Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger and Air Force Col. Illya Thomas, 509th Mission Support Group commander at Whiteman Air Force Base, spoke at the ceremony and expressed their gratitude to military-connected students from several school districts across the state. This was the fourth annual State of Missouri Month of the Military Child kickoff, and the third time it has been hosted at the Capitol in Jefferson City.
“On behalf of the state of Missouri, thank you for your resilience, your strength and your unwavering support,” Wasinger said.
In addition to state and military leaders speaking at the kickoff, five students spoke at the ceremony and shared their experiences as military children, describing their challenges with frequent moves, always being “the new kid” at different schools and learning new cultures.
Beck said his family can relate.
“My wife and I have two kids … and before they left the house, they had a lot of challenges that all of you can relate to,” Beck said, directing his comments to the military children in the audience. “But they also had some amazing opportunities.”
He went on to describe experiences his children had living in different countries, such as learning to speak German and skiing in the Austrian Alps.
“Each one of you has a story just like that – things that you’ve experienced,” Beck said.
Before the ceremony concluded, students presented MOMC-themed artwork to the guest speakers.
Missouri’s 2025 Purple Star Award winners were also recognized during the event. The Missouri Purple Star school designation is awarded to military-friendly education agencies that have demonstrated a commitment to students and families connected to the military — the Waynesville R-VI School District, which includes Fort Leonard Wood, was awarded a Purple Star during the ceremony.
The ceremony can be viewed here.
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