Photos

Military family members light and release lanterns during a Gold Star families event to honor fallen heroes at Biloxi Beach, Miss., Sept. 23, 2022.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Tyler Miles teaches martial arts techniques to Trisha Ricketts, a military spouse, during a Spouse Warrior Day at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022.

A sailor assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman greets family upon returning to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of responsibility, Sept. 12, 2022.

Airmen and their families take part in a family day event in Peoria, Ill., Sept. 10, 2022.

Newly promoted Army Lt. Col. Daniel Rhoades spends a moment with his daughter, Alix, during his promotion ceremony at Fort Detrick, Md., Sept. 1, 2022.

Soldiers and their families participated in the USO-hosted "Sun & Fun" event in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Aug. 20, 2022.

Army Spc. Joshua Milton holds his daughter after a redeployment ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga., Aug. 29, 2022.

Navy Lt. Claudia Mackenzie reunites with her family following a deployment aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald on its return to San Diego, Aug. 23, 2022.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Carlos Molina walks with his family after returning to Point Mugu, Calif., following a seven-month deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, Aug. 9, 2022.

Navy Cmdr. Lou D'Antonio greets his family during a homecoming celebration at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., Aug. 9, 2022, following a seven-month deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations.

Children play in the foam during the ‘Back to School-A-Palooza’ at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Aug. 5, 2022.

A military child tries out a fire hose during a friends and family event aboard the USS Montgomery in San Diego, July 29, 2022.

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force's flight demonstration squadron, perform during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 29, 2022.

A child plays with sensory toys during a community service sensory gala at Fort Rucker, Ala., July 22, 2022.

Military children learn about caring for a sloth named Chewbacca, from Tanganyika Wildlife Park zookeeper Kiana Lucero during a visit to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 25, 2022.

A soldier reunites with family at Fort Bragg, N.C., July 12, 2022, after returning home from deployment.

A Marine accompanies Cpl. Manny, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego mascot, as he meets military family members during a Marine Aircraft Group 16 "Junior Jarhead" event at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 9, 2022.

A guardian is reunited with family at a basic military training coining ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio, June 22, 2022.

Sailors and their families and friends observe the USS Gerald R. Ford’s 10,001st launch from the ship’s flight deck in Norfolk, Va., June 25, 2022.

A participant in a USO-sponsored Cincinnati Bengals’ skill clinic weaves between Bengal football players and volunteers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 3, 2022. A group of Bengal rookies had lunch with airmen, toured the base and took part in the skill clinic that had 99 military children enrolled.