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MONTHLY ARCHIVES
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First Lady Honors Women in Military and Families at Arlington
March 03, 2009 3:30 PM
ABC News' Karen Travers and Yunji de Nies report:
First lady Michelle Obama visited the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Center at Arlington National Cemetery this afternoon to pay tribute to women who have served in the armed forces and bring attention to the service of today’s military families.
The first lady noted that women’s military service goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War, when in 1782 Deborah Samson disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment.
“Throughout our nations’ history women have played an important role in the military as well as in organizations supporting the military during times of conflict. Our foremothers and our sisters today have joined our forefathers and our brothers today in securing our liberty and protecting our country,” Mrs. Obama said.
The visit is part of the first lady’s outreach to military families and a way to mark Women’s History Month.
Mrs. Obama highlighted the service of military families who “have a special courage and strength” and said she had been “honored and deeply moved” to meet with these families in recent years.
“They are mothers and fathers who have lost their beloved children to war. They are husbands and wives keeping the family on track while their wives and husbands are deployed on duty. They are grandparents, aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers who are taking care of children while their moms and dads in uniform are away,” the first lady said.
Mrs. Obama noted the special case of Col. Laura Richardson and her husband Col. Jim Richardson, helicopter pilots who in 2003 became the first couple to lead their battalion during a time of combat. While they were serving overseas, family members took care of their 14 year-old daughter.
“Military families have done their duty and we as a grateful nation must do ours. We must do everything in our power to honor them by supporting, not just by word but by deed," she said.
The first lady has often said that working with and for military families would be a central part of her portfolio in the White House. On the campaign trail, she hosted a series of roundtables for working women to discuss the challenges of balancing career and family. Mrs. Obama was particularly moved by her conversations with military wives, because of the added burdens they face with a spouse often abroad and in harm's way. As a result, she began hosting regular roundtables with military wives.
In announcing the timetable for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq last Friday, President Barack Obama spoke of his wife's commitment to military families.
"My wife Michelle has learned firsthand about the unique burden that your families endure every day," the president told an audience of 3,700 Marines at Camp Lejune. "I want you to know this -- military families are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration."
Mrs. Obama was joined at Tuesday's event by Brigadier General Wilma Vaught (USAF Retired), president of the Women's Memorial Foundation; Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, nation’s first female four star general; Coast Guard Vice Admiral Viven Crea, the first woman to serve as vice chief of a branch of the U.S. armed forces; Iraq veteran and assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth; and Reps. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Laura Richardson (D-Calif).
-- Karen Travers and Yunji de Nies
March 3, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (23)
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To Presidential wife, Mrs. Michelle Obama: welcome to all the historic places in D.C. How grateful I am that you found WIMSA, because my WWII service is honored there, the inimitable Women Air Force Pilots (WASP). You were caught on camera viewing those 38 WASP killed. Proud of you, proud of them. Joan, Purcellville VA
Posted by: Joan Lemley | Mar 5, 2009 10:50:26 AM
Having been an Army brat and having worked for the Department of Defense for 33 years I am glad that someone is recognizing what sacrafices the military women and spouses make. I was not a spouse but worked as a Department of the Army Civilian with Army Community Service that supported the military families while the soldier was deployed.
My father's cousin was a WASP (Mary Elizabeth Trebing) who lost her life in service to our country.
Please stop bickering about her posture and clothing and recognize what she is trying to accomplish.
Posted by: pratclif | Mar 5, 2009 12:35:44 AM
What's really funny is the Richardson family...Col Jim in particular...that Mrs Obama speaks of in being so honorable has 2 kids that he hasnt talked to in 3 years...
Posted by: KR | Mar 4, 2009 11:23:51 PM
Am Sorry - is that woman really a style icon? don't see much of anything in that ghastly outfit. And yeah - she needs to stop slouching - very unbecoming.
Posted by: Karen | Mar 4, 2009 2:28:21 PM
Being an active duty Army wife of an solider who had deployed 3 times I appreciate what she is trying to do. What I don't know is if I like the fact that the POTUS and the FLOTUS see the family members as victims. I don't feel like a victim, as I tell my kids Daddy has an important job and sometimes that means we have to share him with people who need his help more.
Posted by: Army Wife | Mar 4, 2009 8:03:42 AM
Does this mean she's still "proud of her country"?
Posted by: Obama America Hater | Mar 4, 2009 1:59:23 AM
I m very sure Michelle is very proud of our country now, that she is using goldenized toilet paper in the White House.
Posted by: Sandy | Mar 4, 2009 12:04:26 AM
She looks angry.
Posted by: jas | Mar 3, 2009 10:25:56 PM
She is an embarassment!!! She looks like she dressed in the dark. Where does she get her clothes?? I have thrown things away that looked better than what she wears. She needs to get some help.
Posted by: Mildred | Mar 3, 2009 9:15:50 PM
Mrs. Obama did a wonderful job. I am glad for the moments she is having to learn the wonderful role she can play in this country.
-NPage
Posted by: NPage | Mar 3, 2009 6:29:43 PM
... no one checking up on the banks...
--------------------------------------
Treasury Secretary Geithner was supposed to be.
Posted by: mad | Mar 3, 2009 6:14:06 PM
A little reminder to Dee....our president did not cause this problem. He inherited it and is doing his best to correct the situation. No regulations and no one checking up on the banks and Wall street for 8 years caused this problem and it will not go away in one month or two. It will take at least a year to start to rebound so pull up your boot straps and give the President some credit and some prayers.
Posted by: talmag | Mar 3, 2009 5:35:04 PM
I am so pleased that Michelle Obama has finally recognized the families of the veterans. It has been her cause all along and she has quietly been assisting them for some time. She and her husband are truly caring people and I hope and pray that soon, our financial situation will turn around and make everyone feel better about electing President Obama. I am pleased so far but the doubters are still with us.
Posted by: talmag | Mar 3, 2009 5:31:04 PM
No doubt she is proud of her country now.
My question is: will she feel the same if her husband was not elected?
Posted by: cilla | Mar 3, 2009 5:26:21 PM
His continuation of the empire is surely to keep his wife busy at functions such as this, throughout his term.
God forbid the US military ever defend the mainland or borders of the USA.
You can't make money off that, I guess that's what Blackwater is for now.
No wonder they got that multibillion dollar contract for "operations inside the USA." Oh well, they "fixed" New Orleans, right??? Oh, nevermind...
Posted by: hmn... | Mar 3, 2009 5:25:17 PM
She is a wonderful first lady and nobody could seriously believe she doesn't love her country unless they just want to hate her for political reasons.
Posted by: Livvy | Mar 3, 2009 4:47:14 PM
When are people going to wake up and realize that we finally have a family in the White House that cares about the future of our country. Keep up the good Michelle you are a great role model for all.
Posted by: gousa | Mar 3, 2009 4:44:11 PM
I don't care for her husband's politics but Michelle is okay, sleeves or no sleeves. I like that she is learning about the difficulties involved with being a military family. It will help the President understand what is being asked of our military on a personal level.
I hope Uncle Teddy gives the family a dog. They want a Portuguese Water Dog, just get one. This bowing to pressure groups to adopt a shelter dog is ridiculous.
Posted by: Roxie | Mar 3, 2009 4:43:23 PM
"Is she proud of America yet?" Oh good grief! This country is in the toilet, most of us are trying to find a plunger and you're still sitting on the pot! Get off of it already!
Posted by: Dee | Mar 3, 2009 4:39:11 PM
Are people still on that proud American thing? Get over it! We have so many more problems affecting our country and people pick at the silliest thing.
Posted by: pauline | Mar 3, 2009 4:26:43 PM
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