In honor of Gold Star Mother's & Family Day we would like to recognize the family of Captain Jesse Melton III for their dedication to our residents. Over the years, Gold Star Mother Janice Chance and her daughter, Jenine Melton, have devoted countless hours volunteering at facility events, serving in our gift shop, providing lunch to our residents and never missing an opportunity to offer their support.

Janice Chance, is a remarkable woman whose life has been devoted to service. After Jesse’s passing, she served seven terms as President of the Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter Inc (and continues to serve as Chaplain and now First Vice President). Her dedication has been recognized nationally, including a recent Memorial Day feature by the Travis Manion Foundation, where she and her daughter shared what the day means to us as a Gold Star mother and sibling. Her unwavering commitment to supporting military families is evident in everything she does.

In addition to her leadership with the Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter Inc., Janice continues to volunteer with countless veteran support organizations and nonprofits—far too many to list, yet each one a testament to her unwavering commitment to service. Her impact is well-documented and easily found online, where you’ll see her passion reflected in interviews, articles, and tributes honoring her tireless advocacy for military families.

Jenine, an Army and Iraq War veteran, served honorably for over seven years before separating as a Captain. Since 2019, she has volunteered at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home through the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. Her primary role has been in the gift shop, though she has also supported fire drill exercises, escorted residents to community events (i.e. Cruisin' Southern Maryland Car Show), participated in Veterans Day events, and offered her assistance with holiday activities throughout the facility. She volunteers on the weekends due to work commitments and this year marked her first time speaking publicly at our Volunteer Banquet.

Beyond Charlotte Hall, she has served her community as a member and secretary of the Charles County Commission for Veterans Affairs for nearly five years. She also volunteers with several veteran and survivor support organizations, including:

• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) – https://www.taps.org/
• Travis Manion Foundation – https://www.travismanion.org/
• Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter Inc – https://marylandgoldstarmoms.com/
• Operation Gratitude – https://www.operationgratitude.com/
• American Red Cross – https://www.redcross.org/

Jenine is also a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Wounded Warrior Project – https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

This Sunday, Janice & Jenine will be attending Mission BBQ’s Gold Star Family luncheon—Janice in Owings Mills and Jenine in Waldorf—from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. It’s a beautiful gesture of remembrance and community.

We encourage everyone to learn more about this loving family and the legacy of Captain Jesse Melton III: https://www.jessemelton3rd.net
His biography offers a glimpse into his life, legacy, and the values he stood for.

"Above all, our faith is the foundation that sustains us. As believers, we find strength in God’s promises and purpose in our pain. We consider it a sacred calling to turn our grief into service, allowing our light to reflect God’s love and grace to others. It is through this faith that we continue to honor Jesse’s legacy and uplift those around us." ~Melton Family⭐⭐⭐

#GoldStarMothers #GoldStarFamilies #JesseMelton3