Army Sgt. Edwyn Hernandez-Mendoza, center, and Spc. Justin Gill, right, both assigned to the Georgia National Guard, speak with local law enforcement during a patrol near Capital One Arena in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force mission to ensure the safety of residents, workers and visitors in Washington, Oct. 1, 2025. (Army Sgt. Jalen Miller, National Guard)(251001-Z-NH807-2088)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lofted a football to the young officer and recent NFL draftee on the Pentagon steps, a first for the secretary at the iconic building. Lane, a newly commissioned Marine Corps officer and rookie defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was visiting the Pentagon with his family at Hegseth's invitation.
Hegseth praised Lane as an embodiment of service and opportunity.
"Think about all the kids that can look and say, not only can I serve my country, but I can excel at the highest of levels and make it to the NFL," he told Lane. "There's no better example of the American dream than that. … I'm looking at the personification of the American dream, truly."
Hegseth added that the former...
07.07.2025 | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
Courtesy Story
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, honored families who have lost military family members during Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation's third annual dinner.
Defense spending cannot be divorced from the real threats of today and the growing ones of tomorrow, the defense secretary told members of the Economics Club of Chicago.
AFPS’ Elaine Sanchez is in Chicago to pass on the latest in family-related information, initiatives and research at the 2011 Family Resilience Conference.
Robert L. Gordon III, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts when working to improve military families’ lives during the opening session of the 2011 Family Resilience Conference in Chicago.
The top enlisted leaders from each service led a packed town hall meeting yesterday to discuss their family-focused programs and to field questions from family support professionals attending the 2011 Family Resilience Conference here.
