Whiteman Air Force Base Featured in First Lady Jill Biden’s New White House Art Display Dedicated to Military Children
KNOB NOSTER – Today, First Lady Jill Biden announced The Military Children’s Corner, a new art display at the White House dedicated to our military children, which features artwork from student at Knob Noster Public Schools. As part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors, Dr. Biden is 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.
“At home and abroad, I've met so many incredible military children. They may not wear a uniform, but they serve our country, too. During my travels, military children have frequently shared their artwork with me, offering a window into their lives,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “Inspired by their stories of kindness, ingenuity, and strength, I wanted to bring their art and talents to the White House. As visitors enjoy The Military Children’s Corner, I hope they also take a moment to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our military families.”
The First Lady visited Knob Noster Public Schools and Whiteman Air Force Base in April 2022 during Month of the Military Child in support of military children and their families. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following United States Air Force children who previously lived and currently live at Whiteman Air Force Base:
- Taylor Trudell, age 19, United States Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base – Knob Noster, Missouri
- Hannah Harrell, age 16, United States Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base – Knob Noster, Missouri
“With nearly 70% of our students being directly connected to the Whiteman Air Force Base mission, Knob Noster Public Schools is one of only a handful of heavily military impacted school districts in the nation. As a lead advocate for the military students of our nation, we send a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Biden and the Joining Forces Team for establishing the Military Children's Corner in the White House, said Dr. Jerrod Wheeler, Superintendent of Knob Noster Public Schools. “This beautiful art display will serve as a prominent reminder to the current and future administrations of our nation, the resilience, strength sacrifices, and contributions these amazing young Americans make each day, as they live and grow alongside our nation's heroes in uniform.”
The Military Children’s Corner is located in the East Colonnade and is among the first displays visitors will 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. The display will be updated on a quarterly basis and feature a variety of art from military-connected children of U.S. service members around the world.
Images of the display are available on White House Flickr HERE.
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.
BRANCH / INSTALLATION BACKGROUND
Below outlines details of the First Lady’s previous engagement with each installation and the names / details of the military children featured in The Military Children’s Corner.
U.S. Army | Fort Moore
In October 2022, Dr. Biden visited E.A. White Elementary School, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school located on Fort Moore, to meet with military families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), and service providers who support the educational needs of these families and their children. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following military children from Fort Moore:
- Autumn Cobb, age 8, U.S. Army, Fort Moore – Columbus, GA
- Paris Robinson, age 10, U.S. Army, Fort Moore – Columbus, GA
U.S. Marines | Air Station Iwakuni
In May 2022, Dr. Biden visited Matthew C. Perry High School, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni in Yamaguchi, Japan to participate in a celebration of the school’s graduating seniors. During Dr. Biden visit, she visited the school’s art department and met with Jasmine to see her art portfolio and hear about her experience as a military child living in Japan. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following military children at Air Station Iwakuni:
- Jasmine Griffin, age 16, U.S. Marines, Air Station Iwakuni – Iwakuni, Japan
U.S. Navy | USS Delaware
Dr. Biden serves as the sponsor of the U.S. Navy vessels, the USS Delaware, a Virginia-class attack submarine. In April 2022, the President and Dr. Biden participated in the commissioning commemoration ceremony and met with the crew and families of the USS Delaware. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following military children from the USS Delaware:
- AlonnaOsborn and NadiaGumlaw, age 17, U.S. Navy, USS Delaware – Groton, CT
U.S. Navy | USS Gabrielle Giffords
Dr. Biden serves as the sponsor of the USS Gabrielle Giffords, a U.S Navy littoral combat ship. In February 2023, Dr. Biden visited San Diego and joined the crew and families of the USS Gabrielle Giffords at an event hosted by the Armed Services YMCA. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following military children from USS Giffords:
- Aliyah Bergeron, age 8, U.S. Navy, USS Gabrielle Giffords – San Diego, CA
- Danielle Herndl,age 14, U.S. Navy, USS Gabrielle Giffords – San Diego, CA
U.S. Air Force | Whiteman Air Force Base
In April 2022, in honor of Month of the Military Child, the First Lady visited Whiteman Air Force Base to meet with military-connected children and attended Knob Noster High School’s “Purple Up Pep Assembly” to spotlight and celebrate military-connected children and families. During this visit, Dr. Biden stopped by the school’s art department and met with Taylor Trudell, a then-high school senior who is a student leader in the school’s art club and uses art to shed light on her experience as a military child. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following military children from Whiteman Air Force Base:
- Hannah Harrell, age 16, U.S. Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base – Knob Noster, MO
- Taylor Trudell, age 19, U.S. Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base – Knob Noster, MO
U.S. Space Force | Peterson Space Force Base
In 2009, Dr. Biden and then-Vice President Biden visited Peterson Air Force Base as one of the very first military base visits during their time in office. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following Peterson Space Force Base military child:
- Asha Agrawal, age 17, U.S. Space Force, Peterson Space Force Base – Colorado Springs, CO
U.S. Coast Guard | Air Station Miami
In February 2022, Dr. Biden visited the Coast Guard Air Station Miami for a private listening session with military families and book reading event in partnership with Disney and Blue Star Families to bring "Blue Star Books" to military families. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following Air Station Miami military child:
- Sophie Neiman, age 12, U.S. Coast Guard, Air Station Miami – Miami, FL
National Guard | Delaware Army National Guard
As a National Guard mom, Dr. Biden has continued to spotlight the service of our National Guard children. Most recently, in November 2022, Dr. Biden convened National Guard leaders for a roundtable discussion in the Roosevelt Room featuring children of National Guard members sharing their experiences and the role of their communities and schools in their well-being. The inaugural installation of The Military Children’s Corner features artwork from the following Delaware National Guard military child:
- Patrick Sharp, age 12, National Guard, Delaware Army National Guard – New Castle, DE
Taylor Trudell, KNHS Class of 2022
Taylor Trudell, Watercolor Painting
Hannah Harrell, KNHS 11th Grade
Hannah Harrell Artwork
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