Defenders welcome kids back to school
Gerald Cross, 81st Force Support Squadron school liaison officer, offers pencils to Carina Patruno for the first day of school as her parents, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Patruno, 177th Armor Brigade observer coach trainer, at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and Alyssa, stand by near the pedestrian gate at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 4, 2022. Members of the 81st Security Forces Squadron and Chase the Paw Patrol dog also welcomed military children as they went to Back Bay Elementary School. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)