Presidio of Monterey chaplain speaks at Month of the Military Child school assembly

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. (Apr. 7, 2025) – Presidio of Monterey’s Family Life Chaplain, Maj. Danny Melin, spoke to first through third grade students gathered for a Month of the Military Child assembly at George C. Marshall Elementary School in Seaside, California, on April 2.

Using an ocean kayak and oar as props, Melin invited students to embark on an imaginary adventure at sea. He likened the kayak to the support of family and friends.

“Just like a boat keeps you afloat, family and friends are essential for navigating the challenges of military life,” Melin explained to the captivated students.

The oar symbolized the guidance and direction parents, teachers, coaches and friends provide. He emphasized the importance of having the “right tools” for life’s journey by presenting some of the “wrong tools” from his gear bag, using a reflector belt and helmet to illustrate his point. The interactive presentation kept students entertained and engaged.

“Our faith, our good habits and our resiliency serve as our life jacket,” Melin said, clipping into a life jacket. “We can make it long enough floating for another boat to pick us up and take us back to shore.”

Melin’s children, Eli, Benaiah and Juliette, joined him to share their personal experiences as military children. While acknowledging the difficulty of leaving friends behind, they shared how they stay in touch with calls, video chats and writing letters. Their favorite experiences as military children have been traveling and the adventures of living in new places and seeing new sites.

“It can be really challenging to go from place to place to place,” Melin admitted, reflecting on his experiences across all 50 states. “But the Army has given us the opportunity to travel, and my kids have been to almost all 50 states, too.”

Melin extended his message to all students with the encouragement to befriend newcomers and create welcoming communities.

“When you have new kids in your class, look for ways to be their friend and make them feel welcome,” Melin said. “Everyone here can be part of the adventure, but we need to be sure we all have the right equipment with us to be safe, smart, and secure.”

Each April, the Month of the Military Child honors the resilience of military children and recognizes the unique challenges they overcome. Families moving to the Monterey area with school-aged children can contact the Army School Liaison office at (831) 242-7197 for assistance with school enrollment and other support services. For more information about School Support Services, visit Army CYS Services–School Support Services.