In recognition of April as the Month of the Military Child, Linda Gilday, wife of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, shared her thoughts April 29, on the challenges and rewards of raising children in a Navy household, as well as the vital role they play serving the U.S. Navy alongside their uniformed parents.

“Military children, youth, and teenagers, are strong and set an example for their friends, neighbors, and local communities on how to make personal sacrifices in the service of the collective good,” Mrs. Gilday said in a video message to the fleet. “Let’s take time together to celebrate the patriotism, strength, and perseverance of our military children.”

Adm. and Mrs. Gilday have raised two sons, and Adm. Gilday is the son of a Navy Sailor.

“Our military children, now more than ever, are displaying incredible resilience and strength,” said Adm. Gilday. “To our military children – thank you for your dedication and support that makes service to the Navy possible.”

First recognized in 1986 by then Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger, Month of the Military Child is a time to honor and acknowledge military children for their personal sacrifices in support of the military mission.

To view Mrs. Gilday’s video to the fleet, click here.

As communities continue to practice physical distancing to combat COVID-19, Naval Commands continue to celebrate the Month of the Military Child through social media campaigns, virtual “youth” town halls, and family-based at-home and backyard celebrations.

For more information and resources for military children, visit:

Facebook: @NavyCYP; https://www.facebook.com/NavyCYP

Twitter: @NavyCYP; https://www.twitter.com/NavyCYP

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Chief of Naval Operations, visit www.navy.mil/.

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