RICHMOND, Va. –
Representatives from Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, the Virginia National Guard, the U.S. Army 80th Training Command, and Defense Supply Center Richmond gathered April 2 in DLA Aviation’s Operations Center for a joint proclamation-signing ceremony addressing sexual assault, child abuse and support for military children.
The inaugural collaborative event highlighted the shared commitment of these organizations to protect vulnerable populations and foster a safe and supportive environment for DSCR employees and their children.
DLA Aviation’s Commander Brig. Gen. Chad Ellsworth kicked off the ceremony by sharing with the assembled DLA Aviation and DSCR employees the importance of the event to him.
“Having had a family member that was a victim, I understand what this really means, not only to our community here, but to our nation and around the world,” Ellsworth said. “Sexual assault and violence and harassment just can’t be tolerated. I have zero tolerance for it.”
He continued: “Sexual assault is a devastating crime that has no place in our society, let alone within the Defense Logistics Agency and our mission partners here at DSCR. It undermines the very core of our values – integrity, trust, and teamwork. It erodes the fabric of our community, impacting mission readiness and jeopardizing the well-being of our most valuable asset: our people.”
Lt. Col. Glenda Davila, assistant chief of staff for the 80th Training Command, and Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard, director of the Joint Staff with the Virginia National Guard, also signed the SAAPM proclamation.
David Gibson, site director of DLA Installation Management Richmond, and Ursula Hickox, chief of MWR Richmond, then signed proclamations recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
Every April, the Department of Defense joins national, state and local government, schools, military serving organizations, companies and private citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make.
Zamora Logan, director of the child development center on DSCR, said the CDC focuses on building consistent relationships for military children, particularly because they frequently move and are sometimes separated from parents for months during deployments.
“It’s important at this age to build relationships with them because the relationships that we build between 0 to 5 affect how they will build relationships as adults,” Logan said. “Oftentimes, children of military members move three to five times as children because they’re PCSing from different places. So, it can be hard for children to build those relationships and trust adults – and when they do, we need to make sure we are a safe space for them.”
Representatives from MWR Richmond’s Family Advocacy Program, the Virginia National Guard, the 80th Training Command, along with victim advocacy agencies from the greater Richmond area, were also present to staff resource booths with information for DLA employees.