Holiday Storytime with Kamryn Stauffacher

Giving back to others is something that has always been important to Justus Spaulding, member of the AK National Guard Youth Program and National Guard Teen Panel delegate.  Growing up in a military family, Justus learned the importance of helping others and how every act of kindness positively impacts the lives of others.  Justus' unwavering commitment to helping his community was recognized this month, when he was named National Guard FY23 Youth Volunteer of the Year in Alaska.  On April 2, 2024, Justus was presented with a certificate, by Alaska's Lieutenant Governor on the House floor, highlighting this great accomplishment.

Congratulations, Justus!  Thank you for all you do to give back to others and make the world a better place!!

As Spring begins settling in across the country, many communities and organizations begin looking for volunteers to help clean-up outdoor areas in preparation for warmer weather.  To give back to his community, and work on a scouting badge, Ayden Martin stepped-up to volunteer where help was needed.  Ayden spent time cleaning up the gardens and outdoor areas around the Nebraska National Guard Museum in March.  Through Ayden's efforts, the Museum is again ready to welcome guests and visitors.  Great work, Ayden!  You are truly an example of National Guard Teens on the Move!

To learn more about the NE National Guard Museum, visit their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/nngm1903/!

The Wyoming National Guard Youth Advisory and Leadership Team has worked diligently on achieving a shared goal for this past year. For FY23, they set a goal to start volunteering and giving back to their local military community.  To help them reach their goal, they connected with their local Veterans Affairs (VA) Centers for Development and Civic Engagement and learned that they were working on a youth initiative to get more youth in the community engaged in volunteering and working at the VA!  It was a win-win situation!  One of the first volunteer opportunities was to help the adult volunteer team clean their community garden and get ready for the new planting season back in Spring.  The teens then followed that up with their “Produce for a Purpose” program which provides fresh fruits, vegetables and bread products for Veterans facing food insecurity.  WY’s teens accumulated over 25 hours of volunteer service hours stuffing and passing out produce bags and talking to local Veterans.  Based on this great experience, WY’s teen plan to continue volunteering at the VA helping Veterans understand technology, organizing a talent show and helping through the upcoming spring and summer seasons! Way to go, WY Youth Advisory and Leadership team! You are all truly Teens on the Move!  

A few years ago, high school senior Jackson Griggs thought he would never run. Now, he’s a record-holding long-distance runner at Southside High School in Southside, Alabama. Jackson, who is Operation Homefront’s 2023 Military Child of the Year® for the National Guard, credits both his faith and perseverance learned growing up in a military family for fueling his stride.

He is the son of Robert and Tracie Griggs of Rainbow City, Alabama. His father has served 33 years and is a colonel in the Army National Guard. He currently serves as deputy chief of staff for personnel for the Alabama National Guard.

Jackson’s fondest family traditions stem from Romania, where his father served for over a year. His dad often offers up “pofta buna,” or good appetite, before meals, and the family savors memories of hours-long meals in Romania that focus as much on sharing time as on the food.

During his father’s overseas assignment, Jackson began learning about the flexibility and resilience of military families, particularly when deployments and changes of station separate families apart during important life events.

Throughout Jackson’s childhood, his dad has been away for a total of 20 months, about half of that when Jackson was a little boy being treated for an autoimmune disease that confined him indoors. The Griggs family was living in Romania when Jackson became ill, requiring him, his mother, and his brother to return to the U.S.

He often shares his family’s story with other military children through his volunteer work with the Alabama National Guard Youth Council. He encourages his peers to take each change with a positive attitude. For him, being a military child has broadened his worldview and helped him understand how families take on challenges to help military members serve better. He reminds underclassmen he mentors in track to persevere and not be defined by limitations.

Jackson plans to participate in cross-country and track in college while he studies medicine. He said that learning throughout his childhood to remain calm and think clearly under pressure will help as he works toward that goal.

Congratulations, Jackson!!

*Content originally posted on the Operation Homefront Website