COLUMBUS, Ohio — Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, and Ohio Army National Guard Maj. Andre Ballard and his daughter Veronica were invited to represent Ohio during a recent roundtable discussion in Washington, hosted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, on ways to support National Guard children as part of the ongoing Joining Forces initiative.
The conversation focused on the experiences of seven National Guard children, who traveled from throughout the United States
to participate in the roundtable, and how their communities and schools can support them.
“It was clear from the start of the meeting that Dr. Biden was interested in Veronica’s opinion,” Harris said. “Veronica shared the importance of her father visiting her school and explaining to her classmates what serving in the military means to him and his family. As one of only seven children selected from across the United States, Veronica’s experiences that she discussed at the roundtable will help shape how schools and communities can better serve our military children in the future.”
The Ballards reside in Fredericktown, Ohio. Maj. Ballard works full time for the Ohio Army National Guard as a logistics officer and is assigned to 73rd Troop Command, headquartered at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.
Founded in 2011, Joining Forces is a White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors by focusing on the areas of employment and entrepreneurship; military child education; and health and well-being. Learn more at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/
