They Asked. We Listened. We Answered.
- Dr. Marubian Affinii
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
The Military Child World Expo & The Home of the Military Child
For generations, military-connected children, often called military brats, have grown up in motion. They have moved when the nation called. Adapted when orders changed. Rebuilt friendships across time zones. Carried resilience before adulthood.
And quietly, they have asked for something simple:
A place to belong. A place to gather. A place that recognizes them, not as background to service, but as part of it.
They asked.
We listened.
We answered.
The Military Child World Expo is more than an event. It is a three-day national celebration in Arlington, Virginia, during the Month of the Military Child and as America approaches its 250th year.
It is the public expression of something larger:
The building of the Home of the Military Child.
A Three-Day National Celebration
This is not one day. It is a civic moment across three distinct gatherings.
April 18 – The Teen Caregivers Breakfast
A national recognition gathering honoring military-connected youth who provide caregiving support within their families.
This formal breakfast marks the national launch of the Torch of Care Community Service Hours (TCCSH), a first-of-its-kind framework recognizing youth caregiving as verified civic contribution.
Keynotes. Youth testimonies. Awards. Recognition.
Not part of Expo floor programming, but part of the larger celebration.
April 25 & 26 – The Military Child World Expo
Hyatt Regency Crystal City Arlington, Virginia
This is the heart of the convening.
The Expo is immersive, interactive, forward-facing, and built for belonging.
Here’s what families and communities will experience:
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Digital Learning Lab – STEM4THEM
Hands-on innovation and future-readiness experiences including:
Robotics demonstrations
Cybersecurity simulations
3D modeling & prototyping labs
AI and coding activations
Engineering pathways
Aerospace exploration
The Friends of Arlington (FOA) Planetarium immersive STEM experience
This is not passive viewing. This is participation.
Military-connected youth step into innovation, not as spectators, but as builders.
DIY: Wear Your Gear
A joyful, high-energy activation where youth are invited to come dressed as:
Scientists
Engineers
Doctors
Astronauts
Robotics builders
Superheroes
Innovators
Adults are welcome to join the fun.
Because imagination builds identity.
Exhibitor & Education Pathways Pavilion
Colleges, universities, STEM partners, community organizations, and mission-aligned institutions gather to provide:
Education pathway information
Scholarship resources
Career exploration
Community support connections
This is where belonging meets opportunity.
America’s Torchbearers Showcase
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City | 1100 South Hayes St., Arlington, Virginia 22202
Part of the broader celebration, not held on the main Expo floor day, the Showcase brings the community into the moment.
Youth leadership. Creative expression. Public celebration. Visibility in the heart of National Landing. This is where the wider Arlington community meets the next generation.
Why Arlington?
Arlington is home to national memory, service, and civic institutions.
Now, it is becoming known as something else:
The Home of the Military Child.
Not just a building. A gathering place. An anchor point.
A place where communities across America converge to recognize, support, and invest in military-connected youth.
Kentucky. Alaska. Wyoming. Overseas installations. Urban districts. Rural communities.
All part of the structure.
Celebrating America’s 250
As the nation approaches its 250th year, we look forward.
Military children have shaped American history quietly.
Now we institutionalize their recognition.
This is not recruitment. This is recognition.
Not a campaign. A home.
Communities Across America
The Military Child World Expo invites:
Military families
Veteran service organizations
Schools and Purple Star communities
DoDEA and public districts
STEM innovators
Faith and civic leaders
Corporate and education partners
Local and national media
If your organization serves military-connected children, you belong here.
The Home Is Being Built
They asked for recognition. They asked for belonging. They asked for visibility.
We listened. We answered.
And now communities across America are coming together, not just to celebrate military children, but to build something enduring.
The Home of the Military Child.
Join the celebration. Join the convening. Join the build.
Learn more at:www.themilitarychildworldexpo.com
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