Month: October 2012

On Oct. 3, 2012 more than 100 colleges and universities signed on to a joint initiative to prepare educators for the unique needs of their military-connected students, Dr. Jill Biden announced.  Dr. Biden, wife of the Vice President, is a ‘military mom’ has heard from many other military spouses who worry about the academic needs of their children. Many military children are forced to move and change schools 6 to 10 times before they graduate.

Biden said. “Through each transition, they are faced with leaving their friends and adjusting to new schools and new surroundings, all of which can affect a student’s opportunity to achieve academic success,” she said. “As a teacher, this issue is particularly close to my heart.”

Dr. Biden was joined by Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army Chief of Staff, who said he understands the challenges faced by military families — he moved his wife and children 24 times during his 36-year military career, causing his son and daughter to change schools during each year of high school.

The initiative, called “Operation Educate the Educators,” will help ensure positive experiences for military children, 80 percent of whom attend public schools, Gen. Odierno said. He added that “the social piece is perhaps the most important” to a child frequently changing schools.   The initiative is co-sponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Military Child Education Coalition.

As part of the initiative, participating colleges and universities implement guiding principles in their preparation programs and partner with schools that serve Kindergarten through Grade 12 students to ensure future educators have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of military-connected students.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad is conducting their annual salute to local veterans, many of whom were aided by the local railroads to move military men and women across the Nation during the various conflicts in our history.

As in previous years, they will have a brief ceremony with a few speakers offering their personal reflections and comments.  This year’s keynote speaker will be New Castle County Councilman Timothy Sheldon.  The Delaware Military Academy will provide a color guard and a bugler.  Also, the Delaware Militia Fife & Drum Corps, and members of 509th Infantry Battalion will be in attendance.

This year’s ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 11th; beginning promptly at 11:30 AM, and concluding by 12:15 PM. The first steam powered train of the day will depart from Greenbank Station at 12:30 PM. All those in military uniform will ride the train at no cost.  The Baldwin Locomotive #58 (aka “Our Veterans Locomotive”) will be pulling our riders that day.

All veterans and members of military service organizations in the community are invited so that the Wilmington & Western can express their gratitude and appreciation.

The parade grounds at Fort DuPont (Delaware City) will come alive on Saturday, October 20 for Delaware Military Heritage Day.  All are welcomed to view and participate in the many activities scheduled for that day, between 10am and 4pm.  Visitors will be able to walk through reenactment displays and encampments from many time periods, see vintage military vehicles, experience military maneuvers and the firing of artillery.  Many community groups, historical organizations, local authors and  veterans groups will also be present on this special day.  Fort DuPont operated as an active Army post from 1863 to 1945.