WHITEMAN A.F.B — First Lady Jill Biden and and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona stopped at a Missouri Air Force Base Wednesday.

The two leaders visited Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri to highlight programs supporting children and students with parents who serve in the military.

The trip is part of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative. The program supports military families, veterans, caregivers and survivors.

Seventy percent of students in the district are military kids.

Biden said she wanted to let students know they are courageous just like their parents.

“I understand a little bit what military children go through,” Biden said. “You know you face such unique challenges, and your stories don’t always get told.”

Biden shared stories of challenges her grandkids have faced being a military child.

She also chatted with students about their experiences and the student-to-student program on campus.

It’s a student led organization that welcomes incoming students to their school and helps departing students prepare for their next school.

“The lives of military students may not be defined by the edges of a hometown,” Biden said. “Your school journey may look different than the ones in the movies, but that’s what makes you so unique.”

“Your parents are courageous but so are you,” U.S Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona said.

During the visit, the First Lady and Secretary Cardona will visit Whiteman Elementary School. They will also attend Knob Noster High School’s “Purple Up Pep Assembly.”