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The Department of Defense recognizes April as the Month of the Military Child, and on Friday some of the Pentagon's top officials honored many of the brightest young members of the military community. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey was on hand at the Military Child of the Year Awards Gala to pay tribute to one child from each branch who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, reports American Forces Press Service.

Among those who was recognized this year was Mark Michael Newberry, an 18-year-old who lives at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington. Despite having moved 10 times, he still finds time to give back to the community. Among his many contributions are teaching Sunday school and volunteering at the VA thrift shop. Dempsey had nothing but praise for Newberry and the millions others like him.

"These are incredible young men and women who not only do their parents proud, but do their schools proud, their friends proud, their communities proud and ultimately the nation proud," Dempsey told the gathered audience.

Newberry was not the only child to be honored. Nicole Marie Daly, Abigail MaryRose Perdew, Alexander Ray Burch and Amanda Wimmersberg were all recognized for their selfless attitudes and dedication to the military community.