First lady Jill Biden to visit Wright-Patt, local school this week

First lady Jill Biden will visit Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Wednesday to meet with military families.

Biden will tour a local Purple Star elementary school that supports military-connected children and will host a listening session with military families, according to a release from the Office of the First Lady.

Ohio’s Purple Star program recognizes schools’ efforts to work with military families, many of whom have frequent deployments, causing their children to bounce from state to state and school to school.

In the Dayton area, with thousands of families connected to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, numerous schools have earned the Purple Star designation.

To get the Purple Star, schools must have a trained staff liaison who works with military students and families and the teachers who serve them. They must also have a dedicated web page featuring resources, and must complete one other step, which can include wider staff training or a military recognition event.

Jill Biden’s visit is part of her “Joining Forces” initiative ahead of the Month of the Military Child. The Joining Forces mission is to support those who also serve, including military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors.

The first lady also will highlight President Joe Biden’s investments for those military families, caregivers and survivors in his fiscal year 2024 budget proposal to Congress, the office said.

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