Photos

Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, and Thomas Brady, director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, discussed reopening DOD schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic during a briefing at the Pentagon, Aug. 13, 2020.

Air Force Capt. Robert Flemming embraces his daughter at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 31, 2020, upon returning from a bomber task force deployment to Guam supporting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

An airman greets his wife at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., May 24, 2020, upon returning from a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

An airman assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron reunites with a loved one at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, March 5, 2020, upon returning from a deployment supporting U.S. Air Force Central Command.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Bolen, assigned to the fast-attack submarine USS Texas, shares a moment with his child at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 24, 2020, upon the Texas’ return from a seven-month Indo-Pacific deployment.

Air Force Master Sgt. Jehu Forte shakes hands with his daughter Thalia, 7, as he hugs his son Abram, 6, after a ceremony awarding him a Bronze Star at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2020. Forte received the decoration for meritorious achievement for actions while supporting U.S. and coalition forces in the Middle East as a tactical operations superintendent and air advisor.

Sailors assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf embrace family and friends after the ship returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., following a nine-month deployment, Jan. 4, 2020.

An airman attends the 403rd Wing Children’s Holiday Party at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Dec. 7, 2019. The event included games, face painting, a bounce house, crafts and pictures with Santa.

Army Spc. Oscar S. Tenesaca hugs his family after a welcome home ceremony in Teaneck, N.J., Dec. 6, 2019, for 167 New Jersey National Guard soldiers returning from a deployment to eastern Africa supporting Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Breonna Clough, assigned to the USS Harpers Ferry, hugs her sister at Naval Base San Diego, Nov. 27, 2019, upon the ship’s return following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operations.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Salazar reunites with a loved one as the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie returns to Naval Base San Diego, Nov. 18, 2019, after a deployment to the U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operations.

The daughter of a U.S. airman thanks Army veteran Frederick Apfelbacker for his service during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial near Madingley, England, Nov. 11, 2019. The ceremony marked the 101st anniversary of the armistice ending World War I.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald Shoals talks to military children about an F-15 Eagle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 26, 2019, during Operation Hero. The hands-on event aims to help military children understand the deployment process.

Military children get in fighting shape with a quick workout at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 26, 2019, during Operation Hero. The hands-on event aims to help military children understand the deployment process.

A service member's child plays a game during an annual Halloween trunk-or-treat event at Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 30, 2019.

An airman reunites with his daughter upon returning to Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 8, 2019, following a deployment.

A new Marine embraces a loved one during liberty call at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 17, 2019. After 13 weeks of intense training, new Marines assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion reunited with loved ones for a day of on-base liberty.

Marines, sailors and members of their families celebrate with residents in Ginowan, Japan, Sept. 29, 2019, before participating in the 2019 Ginowan Hagoromo Festival Kanchashii dance competition.

The family of Army Brig. Gen. Roy Macaraeg of the Hawaii National Guard pins him to his new rank during a ceremony in Honolulu, Oct. 8, 2019.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Todd Talstein walks with his family during a homecoming celebration for the fast-attack submarine USS Toledo at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Sept. 12, 2019.