Michelle Obama Salutes Military Families on Oprah

Filed under: News, President Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' on Thursday to salute the families of those people who are bravely serving this country in the military.

The pressures of deployment are difficult for families. So often, Mrs. Obama says, people see a happy homecoming between military families on TV but do not see the other "ramifications" to the deployment that are not talked out. "And these families need some help and support to get through it."

The first lady spoke about how these folks rarely ask for help and are always willing to sacrifice without uttering a complaint. She views these families as inspirational and stressed how impressed she is by their strength and fortitude. Mrs. Obama mentioned that whenever her self-pity mode comes on, she "sucks it up" and thinks of Americans who are sacrificing much more.

On Monday, President Barack Obama announced initiatives that will help support the loved ones of military personnel. He mentioned that the government is now upping its game with these new support efforts.

Since her husband's 2008 presidential campaign, Mrs. Obama has placed a spotlight on helping military families. She has been made privy to stories that have fueled her to take action.

The initiatives will focus on the quality of life for military families, enhance the education and development of military children, increase all efforts to help military spouses further their career choices and educational goals, and put into place more child care options for military personnel with young children.

According to President Obama, the initiatives, "are lasting commitments by the government to address your needs and concerns for years to come. And my hope is that these recommendations will live on no matter the president, no matter the party."

Mrs. Obama, who also appeared on Oprah's show with Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward, urges anyone who can help these families to pitch in. "There are a lot of simple things that people can do to help - if you're an accountant, help a military family prepare their taxes, for example," she said. "A lot of these women can use a girl's night out, a manicure, a pedicure, a break. There are things we can do as a nation big and small."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments