The Flagpole Newsletter Edition 117 | April 2026

AWF 2026 Scholarship Awards & Hall of Fame Ceremony

(Back Row L to R: Nyah Nunnally, MSG (Ret) Jo Ann Orr, AWF President LTG (Ret) Kathy Gainey, Gary White, CPT Simone Askew, Maggie Yue; Front Row L to R: Patricia Bradley, CW5 (Ret) Candis Martin, COL (Ret) Debra Thedford, COL (Ret) Jo Ann Jolivet, BG (Ret) Julia Cleckley, BG (Ret) Anne Macdonald, Charlene Austin)

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the success of the 2026 AWF Scholarship Awards & Hall of Fame Ceremony, and congratulations to this year's honorees and inductees.

The Month of the Military Child is celebrated every April. The nationwide initiative was established in 1986 by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and it acknowledges the strengths and experiences of military children. The April 2026 Month of the Military Child theme is “Military Children and Youth: Strength in Every Story”.

A Gold Star Spouse is the surviving wife or husband of a fallen service member. In 2010, Congress designated April 5 as Gold Star Spouses Day to honor these spouses and their sacrifice.

On April 23, 2026, the Army Reserve will be celebrating 118 years. Originally known as the Medical Reserves Corp, with a founding date of April 23, 1908, the organization honors those who balance civilian careers with military duty.

Over 100 Women Honored at Virginia War Memorial Ceremony

(Photo credit: Jakobi Davis, 8News)

Over 100 women military veterans were honored during Wednesday’s pinning ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.



The event was held Wednesday, March 18 as part of Virginia Women Veterans Week — a seven-day observance recognizing women who have served in the military.

Meet the AWF Board

2027 Hall of Fame Nominations COMING SOON

The 2027 U.S. Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame nomination form will open by May 1. Stay tuned for more details.

Sponsor Spotlight

Lockheed Martin is committed to a program of philanthropy that supports the Corporation’s strategic business goals, primarily in the focus areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and military and veteran causes.