Our Military Kids Announces 6th Annual Courageous Kids Contest Winners
National nonprofit Our Military Kids announced their 6th Annual Courageous Kids Contest winners on Purple Up Day, which honors the resilience and sacrifice of military children during the Month of the Military Child. The Courageous Kids Contest celebrates children of Reserve, National Guard, and combat-injured Veterans and service members from any service branch who have shown bravery and leadership during a parent’s deployment or combat-injury care.
The 6th Annual Courageous Kids Contest was made possible thanks to Champion Sponsor Koons Tysons Toyota, Presenting Sponsors HII and Navy Federal Credit Union, and Star Sponsors GOVX, Humana Military, and the Pilot Company.
“As the Champion Sponsor of the Courageous Kids Contest, we extend our gratitude and support to National Guard, Reserve, and Veteran families and thank them for their service to our Nation,” said Amar Rana, General Manager of Koons Tysons Toyota.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s Courageous Kids,” said Kara Dallman, Executive Director of Our Military Kids. “We know their stories of perseverance and leadership will inspire confidence in our next generation!”
This year’s winners include musicians, caregivers, aspiring pilots, Scouts, an entrepreneur, a nonprofit founder, a firefighter, advocates, and athletes.
“As a 2026 Presenting Sponsor of the Courageous Kids Contest, we salute military children everywhere whose bravery, leadership, and resilience inspires our Nation,” said Jerome Tennille, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Community Impact at Navy Federal Credit Union.
This year’s Courageous Kids Contest winners are:
- Justin, 18, from Pennsylvania, winning in the National Guard/Reserve Veteran category
- Kinley and Michael, 12 and 14, from Indiana, winning in the Army Reserve category
- Gabriella Grace, 18, from Oklahoma, winning in the Army Reserve category
- Jocelyn, 18, from Pennsylvania, winning in the Air Force Reserve category
- Catherine, 6, from Louisiana, winning in the Coast Guard Reserve category
- Jax, 4, from California, winning in the Marine Corps Reserve category
- Aubrial, Isaiah, Hansen, Titus, and Theodore, 16, 14, 12, 11, and 6, from Michigan, winning in the Navy Reserve category
- Hannah, 14, from Nevada, winning in the Army National Guard category
- Paisley-Kate, 13, from Texas, winning in the Army National Guard category
- BreeAnna, 18, from Idaho, winning in the Air National Guard category
- Gianna and Dylan, 9 and 12, from South Carolina, winning in the Air National Guard category
- Vyolet, 16, from Colorado, winning in the Army Veteran category
- Xavier, 18, from Virginia, winning in the Air Force Veteran category
- Connor, 17, from New Hampshire, winning in the Marine Corps Veteran category
- Francesco, 14, from Louisiana, winning in the Navy Veteran category
- Natalee, 16, from Iowa, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
- Elysia, 16, from Nevada, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
- Jack, 17, from California, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
- Andie, 11, from North Carolina, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
- Atlas, 10, from Indiana, winning in the Hidden Helper Hero category
“From building ships and advanced technologies to building character, HII believes that it is important to stand alongside our nation’s service members. Our repeat sponsorship of the Courageous Kids Contest affirms our commitment to supporting and celebrating those on the home-front, too,” said Edmond Hughes, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at HII.
Winners will each receive a cash stipend, national recognition, prizes from GOVX, and certificates. Our Military Kids is sharing their stories through feature articles and on social media throughout April.
About Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids is a national nonprofit that offers year-round activity funding for the children (ages 1-18) of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or Veterans and service members from any branch who are receiving care for combat-related injuries or illnesses. Learn more and apply at: ourmilitarykids.org/apply
This summer, military families supported by Our Military Kids set sail for a day of conservation, connection, and discovery at Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.
After a warm welcome and receiving their park passes, families boarded a ferry to Spectacle Island, one of the most unique islands in the Boston Harbor. Once ashore, participants split into three stewardship teams: one group removed pepperweed, an invasive plant species; another weeded and mulched a blooming butterfly garden; and a third tackled additional invasive species to help protect native plants and habitats.
Through their hands-on efforts, these young stewards made a real impact, restoring ecosystems and meaningfully giving back to public lands.
But the day wasn’t just about service but also connection. Military families bonded over shared experiences, found community in the outdoors, and enjoyed the chance to spend time together in a peaceful, scenic space.
To wrap up the day, the group joined a ranger-led hike, where they learned about the island’s dramatic transformation from landfill to national park. The hike highlighted the resilience of both the landscape and the people who care for it, a fitting parallel to the strength and service of our military families.
Our Military Kids empowers children of deployed National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured veterans. Through experiences like this one, participants are reminded that they are not alone and that the outdoors can be a place for healing, joy, and belonging.
In March 2025, military families experienced a day of discovery and adventure at Saguaro National Park, thanks to the partnership between the National Park Trust, the National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This ongoing collaboration brings together National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families to explore and enjoy national parks across the country.
The first stop was a guided tour of the park’s cactus garden, where participants learned about the towering saguaro cacti and the diverse desert ecosystem. As they strolled among the iconic plants, park rangers shared insights into the adaptations that allow flora and fauna to thrive in the dry environment. Sunny the Saguaro, the park’s cheerful mascot, made a special appearance to greet the families, adding a touch of fun to the experience. The kids even got to stand under his giant ranger hat!
Next, the group ventured on a hike through a sandy wash, where they took in views of the rugged desert terrain. Along the way, families had the opportunity to spot wildlife and learn about the cultural significance of the land. The highlight of the day was a visit to ancient petroglyphs, where rangers explained the stories behind the centuries-old carvings left by Indigenous peoples.
After a day of exploring and learning, the adventure concluded with a memorable ceremony. The children proudly took their Junior Ranger pledges, earned their badges, and celebrated their accomplishments. Before heading out, families received their America the Beautiful Military Pass, granting them free access to over 2,000 federal recreational sites for a full year.
Through events like these, the National Park Trust, NPS, and Our Military Kids continue their dedication to supporting military families by creating meaningful connections to the outdoors. With their Military Passes in hand, families are now empowered to embark on even more adventures, discovering the beauty of national parks together.
In April 2024, seven military families were treated to an exciting day at Mammoth Cave National Park, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This partnership provides National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to outdoor recreation opportunities in national park sites across the country.
The day began with learning about the park’s rich natural and cultural resources before embarking on a historical cave tour led by park rangers into the world’s largest cave system. In the afternoon, families hiked through the Kentucky wilderness and visited another cave at the park, Wondering Woods Cave, for an intimate view of different cave formations. As part of this event, participating military families were presented with their Interagency Military Annual Pass, which provides entrance or access for one year to more than 2,000 federal recreational sites, including all National Park Service sites, for current military members and their dependents.
This event at Mammoth Cave National Park is the first of four outdoor recreation-focused events in 2024 hosted by this partnership. Other event locations include Indiana Dunes National Park, IN, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, CA, and Zion National Park, UT.
The program, supported by the NPS and coordinated by National Park Trust and Our Military Kids, doesn’t just offer special outings for military members and their loved ones. It also emphasizes the significance of nurturing ties with nature and forging community connections. These trips allow families to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being.
In December 2023, seven military families were treated to an exciting day at Cabrillo National Monument, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This partnership provides National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to outdoor recreation opportunities in national park sites across the country.
The day began with a ranger program about the monuments’ natural and cultural history, followed by a tour of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and barracks. Families then headed down to the rocky intertidal area, also known as the tidepools. They saw wildlife, like barnacles, sea anemones, and sea stars, and plenty of fish. This event marked the fourth and last outdoor recreation event scheduled for 2023 at national park sites. Other trips were hosted by the Park Trust at Assateague National Seashore, MD, Mount Rainier National Park, WA, and Biscayne National Park, FL.
The initiative, funded by the NPS and facilitated by the National Park Trust and Our Military Kids, not only provided a memorable day for military personnel and their families but also highlighted the importance of fostering connections with nature and building community bonds. Through these events, families were able to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being.
Back in September, military families were treated to an exciting day of fishing at Biscayne National Park in Florida, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids. This partnership aimed to provide National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to outdoor recreation opportunities in national park sites across the country. The day began with an educational session about the park’s natural and cultural history, followed by fishing lessons from local experts. Families then embarked on a fishing adventure in Biscayne Bay, enjoying hours of catch-and-release fishing, sightseeing, and soaking up the sun and salt air. This event marked the third of four outdoor recreation events scheduled for 2023 at national park sites, with other locations including Assateague National Seashore, MD, Mount Rainier National Park, WA, and Cabrillo National Monument, CA.
The initiative, funded by the NPS and facilitated by the National Park Trust and Our Military Kids, not only provided a memorable day for military personnel and their families but also highlighted the importance of fostering connections with nature and building community bonds. Through these events, families were able to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being.
This summer, the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids joined forces to host an engaging event for military personnel and their families at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. The day focused on aquatic citizen science at Mowich Lake, the park’s largest and deepest lake. Families began their day by understanding the park’s efforts to monitor the lake’s health, exploring its significance in climate change and biodiversity studies.
In the afternoon, families donned rubber boots and actively participated in the search for various aquatic organisms inhabiting the lake, working alongside park biologists. Additionally, participating military families were honored with their Interagency Military Annual Pass, granting them one-year access to over 2,000 federal recreational sites, including all National Park Service sites, for current military members and their dependents.
This event at Mount Rainier National Park marked the second of four planned outdoor recreation events in 2023, spanning national park sites across the country. Other event locations include Assateague National Seashore, MD, Biscayne National Park, FL, and Cabrillo National Monument, CA. The initiative aimed to provide valuable outdoor recreation opportunities, fostering a connection between military families and the natural wonders of our national parks.
Washington, D.C. /May 30, 2023 /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – The National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids partnered earlier this month to bring military personnel and their families to Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland for a day of fishing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
The NPS awarded funds to the National Park Trust, which is partnering with Our Military Kids to provide National Guard, Reserve, and post 9/11 combat-injured service members and their families with access to recreational fishing opportunities in national park sites across the country. With the help of Trout Unlimited volunteers, families are learning how to fish, getting time to put their new skills into action, and then they go home with their own fishing gear so they can come back and fish again.
“We are thrilled to be working with the National Park Trust and NPS to enjoy idyllic National Parks in locations close to Our Military Kids alumni and their families!” said Kara Dallman, retired U.S. Navy Veteran and Executive Director of Our Military Kids. “Military families have served and sacrificed, and these outings are about relaxing, enjoying, and introducing them to the great sport of fishing.
“This event presented the perfect outdoor recreational opportunity for Trout Unlimited’s Service Partnership Program to show our gratitude to those who give selflessly for the Nation,” said Eric Gregory, a volunteer for Trout Unlimited.
As part of this event, participating military families were presented with their Interagency Military Annual Pass, which provides entrance or access for one year to more than 2,000 federal recreational sites, including all National Park Service sites, for current members of the military and their dependents. Veterans, and Gold Star families received the Interagency Military Lifetime Pass which does not require an annual renewal.
“Assateague Island National Seashore provides incredible fishing opportunities right for Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia families. We are excited to introduce military families to fishing on Assateague Island. The shoreline is a place where military families can easily come back to and fish whenever they like,” said Liz Davis, Chief, Interpretation & Education for Assateague Island National Seashore. “This is one small way to thank them for their service. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate and connect our military families with opportunities to recreate in and enjoy their local national park site.”
“National Park Trust is honored to partner with the Our Military Kids and the National Park Service to engage National Guard and Reserve families as we work to establish lifelong relationships between local military communities and local national park sites. Teaching each family how to fish and then providing families with fishing equipment they can take with them will allow participants to continue enjoying this recreational activity and create more family memories in the great outdoors,” said Grace Lee, National Park Trust executive director.
This event at Assateague Island National Seashore is the first of four outdoor recreation events in 2023 at national park sites nationwide. Other event locations include Mount Rainier National Park, WA, Biscayne National Park, FL, and Cabrillo National Monument, CA.
ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 52 national park sites. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison Programs and National Kids to Parks Day, serve hundreds of Title I schools annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.
Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.
ABOUT OUR MILITARY KIDS
Our Military Kids recognizes the sacrifice of children (ages 3-18) of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat-injured service members or Veterans by offering extracurricular activity grants that build children’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Since 2004, Our Military Kids has proudly provided 77,000 activity grants worth $30 million to children and teens across the country. For more information, please visit ourmilitarykids.org.
Media Contact: Michelle Criqui at 703-734-6654 or mediainquiries@ourmilitarykids.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
On Saturday, May 13th, 2023, as the sun broke through the clouds on a mild spring morning over the shoreline of Eastern Maryland, military kids and their families embarked on a special day of fishing and discovery at Assateague Island National Seashore. Dolphins were seen cresting the waves just off the coast, wild horses roamed along the beach, and the families made new unforgettable memories.
The National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and Our Military Kids partnered to host the event at Assateague Island National Seashore near Ocean City, MD. The program was designed to teach fishing basics to Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware-based National Guard and Reserve families while connecting with their local national park sites in a deeper and more meaningful way without financial or access barriers.
Upon arriving at the park’s visitor center, Assateague Island Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne presented families with a 2023-2024 Interagency Military Pass, and others with the new America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Military Lifetime Pass. The ceremony was made even more special thanks to Superintendent Hawthrone’s own military service in the Navy, and his family’s history of service through his father. After an in-depth ranger program focusing on Assateague Island’s beautiful wild horse population, families headed to the shoreline to cast their new fishing rods out into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the pristine and protected coastline.
Thanks to the Park Trust’s partnership with NPS, each child and parent went home with a shoreline fishing pole and tackle box so they could keep fishing in the region and create more memories as a family.
This event at Assateague Island National Seashore is one of four events happening in partnership with Our Military Kids in 2023 at national park sites nationwide. Other event locations include Mount Rainier National Park (WA), Biscayne National Park (FL), and Cabrillo National Monument (CA).
For Kara Dallman, supporting military members and their families has been a life-long passion and commitment.
Dallman, a retired Navy veteran herself, has extensive experience working in the military service organization sector. Her various roles have included operations, fundraising, and executive leadership. Since June of 2020, she has served as Executive Director of Our Military Kids.
Our Military Kids recognizes the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, Reserve, or post-9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build the child’s self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Since its founding in 2004, Our Military Kids has provided grants to over 81,000 military children and teens totaling $31 million. Grant recipient families are from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and multiple U.S. territories.
Recently, PGA TOUR player Taylor Montgomery had the opportunity to donate $75,000 to Our Military Kids, thanks to winning the RSM Birdies Fore Love competition for the 2022-23 PGA TOUR season.
“My grandfather was a decorated soldier who fought in Vietnam, so the military has a special place in my heart,” said Montgomery.
“Our Military Kids offers the opportunity for military children and teens to maintain a sense of normalcy and have positive childhood experiences to promote their overall well-being during an especially challenging time,” said Dallman. “We are humbled to receive this incredible donation from RSM Birdies Fore Love. Taylor Montgomery’s generous support will empower more than 250 military children and teens nationwide with extracurricular activity grants to pursue their passions in sports, fine and performing arts, camp, or STEM enrichment during their parent’s deployment or combat injury recovery.”
Through the RSM Birdies Fore Love on-course competition, the top three players who accumulate the most birdies (or better) during the PGA TOUR’s fall season tournaments are awarded with $300,000, $150,000, and $50,000 respectively for donations to the players’ choice of children, and/or family-focused charitable organizations.
“At RSM, stewardship and giving back is part of who we are,” said Andy Bosman, chief marketing officer with RSM US LLP. “Stewardship has been one of RSM’s core values since our firm was founded in 1926, and RSM Birdies Fore Love has been such an amazing way to continue that tradition of making a difference in our communities. We are thrilled to be able to support such deserving organizations like Our Military Kids through RSM Birdies Fore Love.”
On Tuesday at the AT&T Byron Nelson, Montgomery met and interacted with local family members who have been impacted through the Our Military Kids program.
Included in this group was Daniela Santos, who received an Our Military Kids extracurricular activity grant for piano lessons during the deployment of her father, Oscar, with the Army National Guard in 2017.
After her father sustained combat injuries, Daniela received additional scholarships for piano, martial arts, and driver’s education. Daniela’s three sisters, Isabella, Victoria, and Julia also received activity grants for various activities.
“The sacrifice our service members take to serve our country is incredible,” said Montgomery. “That sacrifice is also taken on by the children of military families. I am grateful for Our Military Kids and their mission to serve children of families whose parents have deployed or been injured in service to our country.”
In addition to his donation to Our Military Kids, Montgomery also made donations to Tunnels to Towers, Shriners Hospitals for Children, the UNLV Foundation and Diamante First Tee Foundation.