2022 Tribute to Military Families is set to take place in the Nation’s Capital next week

May 13, 2022

United Through Reading’s annual Tribute to Military Families 2022 is just days away! This impactful event will be held at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 18. We are thrilled to honor and celebrate the families that serve our country every day. We’ll also recognize the corporate, public policy, and military leaders whose vision and support have been vital to delivering our mission worldwide for over 30 years to 2.7 million military family members. Thanks to our Mobile Story Stations Launch Partner, BAE Systems, Inc., our new Mobile Story Station will be on-site for guests to get an exclusive tour inside. 

The Boblett Family will serve as our keynote speakers. The active-duty Navy family has been using United Through Reading to stay connected through several assignments that took Petty Officer First Class Rex Boblett away from home during the past decade. Last year the oldest Boblett child, Ryan Boblett, followed his dad’s footsteps and joined the Navy, shipping off to boot camp far away from his three younger sisters. But just like his dad, Ryan sends United Through Reading storytime recordings home to stay connected with his sisters and build a lifelong love of reading. 

United Through Reading is thrilled to announce our 2022 Special Honoree, Reader’s Digest. They are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year! The organization was founded by World War I veteran DeWitt Wallace. Since its founding, Reader’s Digest has featured thousands of military stories, supported military families, and been relied on by generations of service members for a reminder of home. United Through Reading is grateful for our longstanding partnership with Reader’s Digest and the Reader’s Digest Foundation, our READiness365 Keystone Partner. 

Our 2022 Advocacy Award will also be presented at this year’s Tribute to Military Families. Representative Adam Smith is the U.S. representative for Washington’s 9th congressional district and serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Chairman Smith has kindly lent his advocacy to United Through Reading, actively participating in our Reading and Resiliency Webinar Series. As a strong proponent of the importance of reading and literacy, Chairman Smith understands the impact of our work on military family readiness.

This year’s Tribute to Military Families special guest is Mr. Gilbert Cisneros, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. As the Under Secretary, Mr. Cisneros serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for force readiness; force management; health affairs; National Guard and Reserve component affairs; education and training; and military and civilian personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and quality of life matters. Mr. Cisneros is a former military officer, philanthropist, veterans advocate, and Member of Congress with national security experience. 

Angie Goff, evening anchor at Fox 5 DC and host of the Oh My Goff Show, will serve as the Tribute to Military Families’ Master of Ceremonies. Goff grew up living between South Korea and the U.S. as the child of a military family. “My father reading to me and my sisters before heading on TDY is one of my biggest memories I have growing up an Army brat,” said Angie. “I know how powerful books and the bond they create can be for a military child. I can’t wait to celebrate all that’s being done to preserve that.”

For more information or to purchase tickets for United Through Readin’s Tribute to Military Families 2022 please visit www.unitedthroughreading.org/annual-events/tribute-to-military-families. Stay tuned to our social media platforms for highlights from the very special evening. 

×