W.Va. Air National Guard Family Participate in FLOTUS Joining Forces Initiative

Photo By Capt. Holli Nelson | Brig. Gen. Gene Holt, Assistant Adjutant General – Army (left), Caleb Melton (center), and Beth Melton (right) pose in front of Christmas decorations at the White House prior to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces event held Nov. 28, 2022, at the White House in Washington, D.C. The Melton family participated in a roundtable discussion with the First Lady and National Guard families from across the United States on issues affecting National Guard children. (Courtesy photo)  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

11.29.2022

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Eugene Crist 

West Virginia National Guard

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Melton, his wife Beth and their son Caleb, a West Virginia Air National Guard family from the Charleston, West Virginia area, participated in First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative held Nov. 28, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Caleb was one of the seven National Guard children selected to participate in a roundtable discussion with the First Lady, highlighting their unique experiences and how their communities and schools can support them.

Caleb, 15, said of the event, “It was an honor to meet and participate in the roundtable with Dr. Biden. I was able to briefly share about the opportunities available to military teens whose parents serve in the West Virginia National Guard.”

He would go on to say, “This was an awesome experience that I will always remember. I’m very appreciative to all who serve.”

Caleb is currently a sophomore at Saint Albans High School where he is a member of the varsity golf team and aspires to work in the cybersecurity field. Chief Melton serves as the Military Personnel Management Officer for Headquarters, WVANG and his wife, Beth, is the Airman and Family Programs Manager for the 130th Airlift Wing.

The First Lady, a National Guard mother, hosted the event to honor the Guard and its service to our country. She joined National Guard families and state Adjutants General for the event which included the roundtable discussion.

Brig. Gen. Gene Holt, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army, and his wife, Kelly, also joined the Melton family at the White House for the event.

First Lady Jill Biden reignited Joining Forces in April 2021, after its inception with former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2011. Joining Forces is a White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. Joining Forces’ work is driven by their experiences. To learn more about Joining Forces: https://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/

• Date Taken: 11.29.2022
• Date Posted: 11.29.2022 12:57
• Story ID: 434131
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US