Matthew Alvarado’s Post

Today we mark the 1st anniversary of the October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel by Hamas militants. Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking civilian hostages. Let us all take a moment to honor the victims and their families. Let us remember and pray for safe return of all hostages taken, and let world not forget this horrific tragedy 🇮🇱. #Israel #StandWithIsrael

On Tuesday, October 2, 2024, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP), Mrs. Patricia M. Barron, Ms. Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Director of the Defense State Liaison Office, Mr. Larry Gilchrist, Deputy Director of the Defense State Liaison Office, and Ms. Amy Rodick, Director of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy, met with Secretary Tony Woods, Deputy Secretary Dana Burl, and Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Libraty of the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families. The MC&FP team provided an overbrief on MC&FP, and the group discussed collaborative ways to support the military community in Maryland. Anthony Woods Dana Burl Andrew Libraty DASD Patricia M. Barron Amy Rodick Larry Gilchrist

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Military Community and Family Policy held our Fall 2024 All Hands Ceremony. I reached 20 years of federal service on March 21, 2021, and received my Length of Service Award. Although I passed this milestone during the pandemic, my current leadership made it a priority to celebrate this achievement. #deptofdefense #thepentagon #militarycommunityandfamilypolicy #federalcivilservant DASD Patricia M. Barron

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities make each day across our Nation. Led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), NDEAM reaffirms the Department of Defense’s commitment to recruit, retain, and advance individuals throughout our workforce. #deptofdefense #ThePentagon #militarycommunityandfamilypolicy #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth History In 1945, Public Law 176 began the effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability in the workplace. Congress declared the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week, to be recognized annually. In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to include people with other disabilities. In 1988, Federal legislature expanded the week to the full month of October, making NDEAM what it is today. More Information https://lnkd.in/ehUQEdGD national-disability-employment-awareness-month

Fall has arrived at Military Community and Family Policy! #deptofdefense #thepentagon #militarycommunityandfamilypolicy

On Friday, September 20, 2024, DASD Patricia M. Barron and Captain Jefferson L. Thondique (U.S. Army Reserves) visited the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The visit focused on sharing their readiness, human capital, and quality of life update for Service members, Military families, federal government civil servants, and their families across the AFRICOM theater. #deptofdefense #thepentagon #militarycommunityandfamilypolicy

Last week, DASD Patricia M. Barron and Captain Jefferson L. Thondique (U.S. Army Reserves) attended the 2nd Annual United States European Command (EUCOM) J1 Symposium. The symposium provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of the readiness, human capital, and quality of life challenges across the European theater. #deptofdefense #thepentagon #militarycommunityandfamilypolicy

On Monday, September 23, 2024, DASD Patricia M. Barron, was invited to brief the Defense Senior Enlisted Leader Council Spouses Engagement at Joint Base Andrews. This was an opportunity for her to present directly to all Service Senior Enlisted Advisors, Senior Enlisted Leaders, and their spouses on MC&FP Quality of Life Programs. #deptofdefense #thepentagon #militarycommunityandfamilypolicy

Hello and welcome Fall 2024! AUTUMN LEAVES DON'T FALL, THEY FLY. THEY TAKE THEIR TIME AND WANDER ON THIS THEIR ONLY CHANCE TO SOAR 🍁🎃🍂! By: Delia Owens Be an autumn leaf, live each day to the fullest and wander! #fall2024 #bratt2015

Today the nations remembers and honors National POW/MIA Day. The Defense Department (DoD) remembers and honors those Americans who were Prisoners of War, those who served and never returned home. The DoD’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency continues the search for the missing, fulfilling the nation’s promise to leave no service member behind. History In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those who are still missing in action (MIA). It is most associated with those who were POWs during the Vietnam War. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29, the date in 1973 when the last US combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam. The POW/MIA Flag should fly below, and not be larger than, the United States flag. It is generally flown immediately below or adjacent to the United States flag as second in order of precedence