Master Sgt. Anthony Jones, a cyber intelligence section chief with the 185th Cyber Operations Squadron, started his journey to overcoming obstacles early in life, growing up in the American South in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a textile mill community. With aspirations of becoming a geophysicist, Jones was told he ‘wasn’t college material’ by a high school guidance counselor. (Courtesy photo)

Leaders from the Virginia Air National Guard, 192nd Wing recognize the outstanding efforts of their Airmen in an annual awards ceremony, Feb. 20, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Johnisa Roberts)

When she received the news, Adams was balancing a civilian job and a busy military career. She was commuting from southeast Virginia to her reserve unit at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware for drills and then served a tour at the Pentagon. But in the midst of it all, she somehow found a way to cope while also giving back to the community she grew up in. Adams founded “Fast Forward Shoe Drive;” an annual back-to-school charity event where children receive new or gently used shoes ahead of their big day in a new classroom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)

Approximately 1,000 Virginia National Guard personnel will be among more than 7,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from dozens of states remaining in Washington, D.C. following the 59th Presidential Inauguration to provide enduring support to local and federal authorities, according to an announcement made Jan. 23, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr)

The Virginia National Guard has approximately 2,400 personnel on the ground in Washington D.C. as of Jan. 14, 2021, assisting civilian law enforcement in protecting property and providing a safe environment for citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr)