Gates Attends Reception for Military Kids

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Awards are lined up on a table during a reception celebrating the "Our Military Kids" group, Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Our Military Kids, founded by Linda Davidson and Gail Kruzel in 2006, has raised more than a million dollars for the children of Guard and Reserve members. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen
  • A young girl looks up at her father during a reception to celebrate "Our Military Kids" group, Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Our Military Kids, founded by Linda Davidson and Gail Kruzel two years ago, has raised more than a million dollars for the children of Guard and Reserve members. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates poses with a military family during a reception to celebrate "Our Military Kids," Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates poses with a special guests Myles and Erika during a reception celebrating the "Our Military Kids" group, Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates talks with Will Bacon (left front), 10, his brother, Jake, 9, and their mother, Christine, during an "Our Military Kids" reception to honor military children. The boys' father, Missouri National Guardsman Maj. Matt Bacon, is deployed to Iraq. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley
  • Army Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, gives Jake Bacon, 9, (center), and his brother, Will, 10, the hug their father couldn't as he applauded their service as military children during an "Our Military Kids" reception, Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. The boys' father, Missouri Army National Guard Maj. Matt Bacon, is deployed to Iraq and received a pair of grants from Our Military Kids so that his sons can play baseball. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stands with Gail Kruzel (center) and Linda Davidson (right), before addressing a crowd gathered for a reception to honor military children. Kruzel and Davidson, co-founders of "Our Military Kids," held a reception in Washington on April 7, 2008, to recognize the sacrifices of military children and to celebrate their organization reaching the $1 million mark in grants awarded to military kids for extracurricular activities. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley
  • Buzz Hefti speaks to the audience during a reception celebrating "Our Military Kids," Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Hefti is vice president of VanScoyoc Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based firm, that hosted the event. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates speaks to the audience during a reception celebrating "Our Military Kids" in Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Gail Kruzel, co-founder of “Our Military Kids” at a Capitol Hill reception hosted by Van Scoyoc Associates, April 7, 2008. April has been designated by the Pentagon as the Month of the Military Child. Courtesy photo by Helene Stikkel
  • Linda Davidson and Gail Kruzel, founders of "Our Military Kids," receive an award during a reception celebrating the group, Washington, D.C., April 7, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen