For over 15 years, @BlueStarFamily has served one of the largest non-profits helping our veterans and military families build community and get the support they need. This week, I sat down with members from the Maryland chapter of Blue Star Families to strategize how we can expand access to child care and employment opportunities both on and off base for military families and spouses. As the daughter and granddaughter of Army, Navy, and Air Force veterans, I know firsthand how crucial supporting military families is to enrollment, retention, and readiness because delivering for these families means delivering for our servicemembers. Stay tuned for our progress!

How to make an impact? Stories. This week @BlueStarFamily has shown me the importance of stories and sharing them. Especially with leaders who can help us along the way, make that change. Thanks @TomPorterDC and Kaitlynne Yancy for showing how it’s done! #BlueStarImpact #Hill

Nice conversation with @CongressMin and staff about my early years in Orange County body surfing the Wedge at Balboa. So much appreciation for them hearing about the great work our @BlueStarFamily SoCal Chapter does to serve his military & veteran constituents! #BlueStarImpact

A few days ago Sen @MarkWarner worked with our brand new @BlueStarFamily Hampton Roads Chapter on a roundtable to hear about the challenges military families face. Glad he took the time to discuss further efforts to empower our community today! #BlueStarImpact

Great appreciation to @SpeakerJohnson's staff for the hospitality today, listening to our @BlueStarFamily Chapter leaders from across the US tell of their efforts to serve the military and veteran community. #BlueStarImpact

@Rep_Walkinshaw represents my Fairfax County, VA area and I was proud to bring in our National Capitol Region @BlueStarFamily Chapter to tell him how they're helping his military and veteran constituents. Thanks, Congressman! #BlueStarImpact

So far a great and busy day for our @BlueStarFamily chapters on Capitol Hill! Glad I am able to share this experience with the boss @TomPorterDC and our amazing team! ⭐️ #BlueStarImpact #Military #Vets #CapitolHill

Now THAT's a Navy office! Really good discussion with @RepSarahElfreth about military childcare, outdoors activities, and the wonderful things our Maryland Chapter is doing for her military and veteran constituents. #BlueStarImpact #DontGiveUpTheShip

Thanks so much to @RepJohnnyO and staff for taking all the time to talk about the great things our Maryland @BlueStarFamily Chapter is doing for military and veteran families. Way to start the day for our fly-in! #BlueStarImpact

Our Virginia Hampton Roads Chapter is @BlueStarFamily's newest, and we were proud to introduce its Executive Director Paula Moran to Rep @RobWittman and let him know how they're serving his military and veteran constituents. #BlueStarImpact

That's @BlueStarFamily Teams Alpha and Bravo getting some nourishment in the Cannon Panera before our next Capitol Hill meetings and @TheMilCoalition Seersucker reception! #BlueStarImpact

While we both have changed roles since the last time we had an official work meeting together it was an absolute pleasure to sit down again with Congressman @JohnnyOJr today to discuss was to support our initiatives here at Blue Star Families. #BlueStarImpact #BlueStarFamilies

We enjoyed introducing @RepJenKiggans to @BlueStarFamily's new Hampton Roads Chapter, and ED Paula Moran, serving her military and veteran families. We also discussed military childcare and the need to pass the #MajorRichardStarAct. Thanks Congresswoman! #BlueStarImpact #GoNavy

Team Bravo had to get that selfie after our last meeting. Awesome work today telling the @BlueStarFamily story and advocating for our priorities: #MajorRichardaStarAct, military childcare, veteran transitions, and more. #BlueStarImpact

Here’s team Bravo sharing to us a little of what’s to find on Capitol Hill today! 🇺🇸⭐️ @BlueStarFamily #BlueStarImpact #BlueStarFamilies #MilitaryFamilies #Veterans #CapitolHill

It's a lot of hustle by our @BlueStarFamily Maryland and Virginia Chapters for our Capitol Hill fly-in of chapters from across the country! #BlueStarImpact

Day 1 on Capitol Hill and Team Charlie came ready to go. 💪 We kicked off our meetings on the Senate side today, bringing military family voices and community impact directly to policymakers. It’s going to be a busy day, but we’re ready for it. #BlueStarImpact

Really good day kicking off our 2nd Annual @BlueStarFamily Fly-in by Chapter leaders from across the US. We conducted a full day of training today before taking our teams to the Hill tomorrow. Lots of passion and energy. Look out for us this week! #BlueStarImpact

We are on Capitol Hill. Armed with stories. Driven by purpose. Focused on impact. Proud to stand alongside fellow Blue Star Families leaders as we advocate for military and veteran families across the nation. Let’s go. 🇺🇸 #BlueStarImpact #MilitaryFamilies #FlyIn2026

Military families shouldn't be caught in political crossfire. In a new op-ed, Blue Star Families CEO @BlueStarKRD explains why military promotions should be based on merit — not used as political leverage. Read more: bit.ly/4uRUi5u