RECENT POSTS
- Today’s Qs for O’s WH – 11/23/2009
- Obama Calls for Annual Science Fair: Achievement Should be Recognized like NCAA Championship Win
- Obama Decision on Copenhagen Summit Attendance “In the Coming Days”
- Gitmo Detainees Intend to Plead Not Guilty in U.S. Court
- President Obama Calls 9th War Council Meeting for Tonight
- Health Care Hurdles
- The Presidential Planner
- White House Study Looks at Job Creation in Illinois if Gitmo Prisoners Transferred There
- President Obama: Asia Trip Helped Usher in a New Era of American Engagement
- Secretary Sebelius Celebrates the Tenth Anniversary of National Adoption Day
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Michelle Obama to Military Families: I Care
May 08, 2009 6:03 PM
ABC News' Yunji de Nies reports:
Michelle Obama has a special message for military families this Mother's Day: I care. In a public service announcement for the Pentagon Channel, airing every two hours now through Sunday, Mrs. Obama looks directly into the camera and says, "Hi, this is Michele Obama and I wanted to wish all the mothers out there a Happy Mothers day. Know that we love you and we are praying for you and we hoped that you enjoyed this day take care."
Mrs. Obama also sat down for an interview with the Pentagon Channel's anchor Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Liz Murray. The First Lady explained that she's made military families a part of her platform because "it's the right thing to do."
Mrs. Obama said that after meeting many struggling military families on the campaign trail, she pledged to herself that if her husband won the election, she would make their cause her own.
"I was shocked at some level because I think the assumption that we all make is that when we send our troops to war because we care so much in this country about our soldiers that, naturally, we're taking care of the families that are left behind," she said. "I felt that most Americans, like myself, who aren't focused on the day- to-day struggles, if you're not living on a base, if you're not living near a military community, oftentimes those struggles just go unnoticed."
Mrs. Obama said she wants to bring their issues to the forefront, because she believes many are suffering in silence. She cited a recent survey by Blue Star Families that found 94-percent of military families feel as through the country does not understand their challenges.
"These families are so proud," she explained, "So they're not going to ask for help, they're going to suck it up and do whatever it takes to make it happen. And because they're not going to ask for support, we have to reach out and make sure that we're doing all that we can as a nation to support them."
Mrs. Obama would like to see more career, education, and paid volunteer opportunities for those in the military.
"We're seeing some concrete investments through this year's budget," she said, "And we'll see more down the line that will not just show in word, but in deed, that we have to invest in our military, their families and our veterans in a real meaningful way, whether that's job training, mental health support, whether that's ensuring that people have access to the health care they need."
For spouses left stateside, Mrs. Obama like to see more structured support in childcare and education. She also touted the administration's proposed $80 million investment in career development and training for military spouses. On a local level, she hopes that more Americans will reach out through churches, schools and individually to support these families.
Mrs. Obama was asked about her own time being separated from her husband while on the campaign trial. The first lady said she does not compare her experience with that of military spouses in any way.
"While I was away from my husband during the time of the campaign, he wasn't at war. He would come home on the weekends," she said. "What I do know is that when you're married to someone who feels a call to serve, you're a part of that service as well. My husband's willingness to sacrifice means that I stand behind him, stand next to him, stand with him in sacrifice as well. The women and men that I've met who are serving along side their spouses feel the same way."
May 8, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (87)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
But don't you see Jeanne, that's EXACTLY what they want us to do. Sit by and watch what happens. Not complaining, not paying attention while a holocaust situation happens all over again! You must see the writing on the wall. It's sad that we really can't speak our minds. You say its great that we have a difference of opinion but in reality there is so much fear that someone might be 'offended' that to often we really can't speak our minds. Even obama once said he was 'offended' by being called a socialist! My God! How can a president possibly worry about being offended!! If he's that worried about it he should not have run in the first place! America needs to wake up!!!!!
Posted by: Melissa | May 30, 2009 11:26:12 AM
Yeah! They care so much they are now going to charge our wounded veterans for health care! How disgusting is that!! It's bad enough our military risk their life for our freedom for little pay and now this socialist %&$# has the nerve to charge them even more. They both make me sick! This country is going to hell in a hand basket!
Posted by: Melissa | May 30, 2009 11:19:14 AM
In reading a lot of these posts I see that there are many differing opinions....and thats great because thats thats exactly what makes this country great - the expressing of opinions and views and finding the best path to change and life success for everyone. When change happens, sometimes it's uncomfortable, and it's hard to embrace sometimes because we cannot always see the end goal. I guess I would say instead of immediatly judging and throwing stones, why don't we see what happens. Maybe Mrs. Obama CAN bring change that will benefit our military families, geeze that would be great. I am not even saying she will - but I am willing to hear what she has to say and hope that she can do what she says she will do. Maybe we could least hear her out, support what she says and let her try and make some changes and see how it goes. No one else has tried, so, bravo to Mrs. Obama if she can bring those changes.
Posted by: Jeanne | May 12, 2009 4:44:40 PM
"Everyone should have a chief of staff and a set of personal assistants."
Marie Antoinette?
Nope--close though--Michelle Obama.
Posted by: Who Said This? | May 11, 2009 3:48:26 PM
When Michelle Obama said for the first time in her adult life she was proud to be an American she proved just how ignorant she was.It 's a shame all those degrees at Harvard and Princeton did not help her to understand that the USA is still the greatest country in the world and a symbol of hope for all the Free World.With those words she has put herself in the same situation as Jane Fonda, a traitor to her country and no amount of liberal media spin can salvaged her tarnished reputation.
Posted by: Johnny L | May 11, 2009 10:34:24 AM
What a joke she cares when the secretary of veterans Affairs just stripped more than a hundred thousand of their Vietnam service Medal and va benefits to keep from following a law passed by congress in 1991. And congress is trying to pass a welcome home veterans day but see that doesn't include us all we did was deliver millions on tons of ordinance on target while that hundred thousand still believes the same DENY DENY TIL THEY DIE
Posted by: lee | May 11, 2009 6:31:12 AM
Bush and his supporters for the Iraq war didn't prepare not only for the war we never should have been in but they also didn't prepare for the wounded veterans returning or the needs of Military Families.
Michelle Obama is a breath of fresh air compared to Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld. She will help the Military Families.
Posted by: Susie | May 11, 2009 3:23:30 AM
I will say that schmoopiekins puts her husband in harms way.. each day.. so maybe she can empathize somewhat with the perils of the military spouses.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 10, 2009 4:30:19 PM
Livinginca writes:
"The Obama's woundn't even visit the wounded soldiers during his campaign.
I have yet to see any support for the Military from either of the Obamas. I worry about my husband and son serving in Iraq as I don't feel that they have the full support of the govenment."
Wow! Now here's the truth:
Barack Obama visited the wounded troops (during his campaign) at Walter Reed in June 2008, in private, without any media, as is appropriate. He also visited wounded troops in Iraq in July 2008, again in private. I don't know where some of you get your information (maybe from campaign ads filled with lies?) but you really should check your facts before you accuse the Obamas of not caring. I'm very pleased that someone in Mrs. Obama's position is finally shedding some light on the difficulties facing military families. My grandfather, my father, my brother and my husband all served in the military, and now my son is serving as well. I am all too aware of the toll it can take on families and bringing this issue to the forefront is important. Perhaps instead of criticizing Mrs. Obama you should all look into ways YOU can truly help, besides putting flags and bumper stickers on your cars.
Posted by: NavyMom | May 10, 2009 4:09:50 PM
I don't think she cares about the military. She just wants everyone to think she's patriotic.
She doesn't really seem to be passionate about any one issue. She just likes being a wanna-be celebrity.
Posted by: boogienights1 | May 10, 2009 2:38:28 AM
Jeez, Michelle's press staff is working overtime. She "cares" about the military, she is Mother of Year, feeds the poor, and on and on.
I don't buy it any of it for a second. She's a poser just like her husband.
Posted by: deedee | May 10, 2009 1:52:21 AM
ceeLeelee thank you!
Posted by: Livinginca | May 10, 2009 12:35:25 AM
The Obama's woundn't even visit the wounded soldiers during his campaign.
I have yet to see any support for the Military from either of the Obamas. I worry about my husband and son serving in Iraq as I don't feel that they have the full support of the govenment.
Happy Mothers Day to all Military Mothers!
Posted by: Livinginca | May 10, 2009 12:18:58 AM
Michelle Obama to military wives: I care
Military wives to Michelle: No you don't and you aren't fooling anyone.
Posted by: tin can | May 9, 2009 11:58:48 PM
No she won't, nor will her little dog, Toto.
Lol.
Posted by: ceeLeelee | May 9, 2009 11:33:54 PM
Hmmmm...and still she rises to greater heights while the chickens sit around pecking at her feet. LOL! What are any of you doing for military families or anyone other than yourselves? She will be their for EIGHT years so get use to it cluckers. LOL!
Posted by: Char'den | May 9, 2009 11:24:03 PM
What kills me is that the arrogant brain dead Obamas actually think they are fooling people with their numberous lies and actions.
Posted by: PresGov | May 9, 2009 10:59:20 PM
Military
family here....and sorry never been proud of Americans before Michelle Obama, only an idiot would be believe any of your lies.
Posted by: PresGov | May 9, 2009 10:57:57 PM
Lol - Maybe Michelle's people should go dig up that 79% and have them start blogging for her.
She is polarizing. She is also shallow.
No one is "hating" on anyone. This is a blog and we are giving our opinions which is just as valid as yours.
If you don't like them, don't read them.
Posted by: ceeLeelee | May 9, 2009 9:28:53 PM
kitty: YOU judged? Since when is your polling accurate on a blog that is so rampant with jealousy, hate, and extreme dislike for the color black?
Posted by: sandy | May 9, 2009 8:19:40 PM
Post a comment
