Seven Seas News: Michelle Obama

Showing posts with label Michelle Obama. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

President, First Lady Salute Troops, Vets, Families

12/25/2013 05:58 AM CST Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 5:42 PM

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25, 2013: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama today wished all Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and provided special holiday greetings and thanks to U.S. military members, veterans, and their families for their service and sacrifice to the nation.
The Obamas also employed the president's weekly address to the nation to remind Americans to visit the Joining Forces website to find ways to give back to military families. The First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched the Joining Forces campaign in April 2011 to rally national support from all sectors of society to honor and support service members, veterans and their families.
The President and the First Lady also said that during this holiday season all Americans should come together to find ways to support U.S. service members, veterans and their families, and to keep working to be good parents, friends, neighbors and citizens in their communities.
Here is the text of the President's and First Lady's weekly national address remarks:
THE PRESIDENT: "Hello everybody, and Happy Holidays."
THE FIRST LADY: "We know how busy this time of year is for everyone, so we're not going to take much of your time.
"But we did want to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas, from our family to yours."
THE PRESIDENT: "This is a season for millions of Americans to be together with family, to continue long-held holiday traditions, and to show our gratitude to those we love. And along the way, some of us might even watch a little basketball or eat some Christmas cookies, too."
THE FIRST LADY: "Here at the White House, over the past few weeks, we've had about 70,000 people from all across the country come visit us and look at our holiday decorations.
"This year's theme was, 'Gather Around: Stories of the Season.'
"And in every room of the house, we tried to tell a story about who we are as Americans and how we celebrate the holidays together.
"And we made certain to highlight some of the most powerful stories we know -- the stories of our outstanding troops, veterans, and military families and their service and sacrifice for our country."
THE PRESIDENT: "Our extraordinary men and women in uniform are serving so that the rest of us can enjoy the blessings we cherish during the holidays. But that means many of our troops are far from home and far from family. They're spending some extra time on the phone with their loved ones back home. Or they're setting up video chats so they can watch as the presents are opened. So today, we want all of our troops to know that you're in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
"And here's the good news: For many of our troops and newest veterans, this might be the first time in years that they've been with their families on Christmas. In fact, with the Iraq war over and the transition in Afghanistan, fewer of our men and women in uniform are deployed in harm's way than at any time in the last decade."
THE FIRST LADY: "And that's something we all can be thankful for.
"And with more and more of our troops back here at home, now it's our turn to serve -- it's our turn to step up and show our gratitude for the military families who have given us so much.
"And that's why Jill Biden and I started our Joining Forces initiative -- to rally all Americans to support our military families in ways large and small.
"And again and again, we have been overwhelmed by the response we've gotten as folks from across the country have found new ways to give back to these families through their schools, businesses, and houses of worship."
THE PRESIDENT: "That's the same spirit of giving that connects all of us during the holidays. So many people all across the country are helping out at soup kitchens, buying gifts for children in need, or organizing food or clothing drives for their neighbors. For families like ours, that service is a chance to celebrate the birth of Christ and live out what He taught us -- to love our neighbors as we would ourselves; to feed the hungry and look after the sick; to be our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. And for all of us as Americans, regardless of our faith, those are values that can drive us to be better parents and friends, better neighbors and better citizens."
THE FIRST LADY: "So as we look to the New Year, let's pledge ourselves to living out those values by reaching out and lifting up those in our communities who could use a hand up.
THE PRESIDENT: "So Merry Christmas, everyone. And, from the two of us, as well as Malia, Sasha, Grandma, Bo ..."
THE FIRST LADY: "And Sunny, the newest Obama."
THE PRESIDENT: "We wish you all a blessed and safe holiday season.
THE FIRST LADY: "Happy holidays everybody, and God bless."

Video published on 17-05-2012 Courtesy:// YouTube

Friday, May 10, 2013

First Lady Hosts

05/09/2013 10:40 PM CDT Fri, May 10, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Military Mother's Day Tea at White House
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2013 - First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, hosted 170 military mothers and their children at the White House today for a formal Mother's Day tea.

First Lady Michelle Obama, center, Dr. Jill Biden, right, and Britain's Prince Harry applaud military families, May 9, 2013, in the East Room of the White House at the Joining Forces Mother's Day Tea. DOD photo by Terri Moon Cronk.

The event was part of the Joining Forces campaign, which provides support and opportunities for military families. It brought military moms, their mothers and kids from around the country to the White HOuse, Obama said.The guest list also included Lilibet Hagel, wife of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel; Patty Shinseki, wife of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki;the first lady'smother, Marian Robinson; and the military spouses of the year from each of the services, the National Guard and the Coast Guard. In addition, Britain's Prince Harry also made a surprise visit.
"Today we have some of the most extraordinary moms here with us -- active-duty troops and military spouses from all across the country," Obama said.
"You help our country soar. When somebody needs you – your family, community or your country -- ... you answer the call every time," she said.
Following the first lady's remarks, while mothers remained in the East Room drinking tea made from chamomile grown in the White House garden, the children went to the State Dining Room where they made cards and crafts for Mother's Day.
The 50 children, ranging in age from 6 to 13 years, made their gifts with help from the first lady, Biden, Prince Harry, military personnel and White House staff, among others.
When the youths re-entered the East Room bearing their gifts, Prince Harry emerged with them, bringing the crowd to cheers and applause.
Following two deployments to Afghanistan, Prince Harry has since "focused on honoring the sacrifices and service of veterans and military families," especially as the war there is drawing down, Obama said.
"[Prince Harry] has spent a lot of time supporting wounded warriors and families of the fallen," she said. The prince will also attend the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., where injured service members will compete in a variety of sports at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and Air Force Academy as part of his U.S. trip.
"When he heard about this tea and all of you, he wanted to be here to personally thank you for your service," Obama said.
In support of service members, their families and veterans, Obama told the audience that the Joining Forces initiative is a "forever proposition" that will continue with succeeding presidents. Obama and Biden established Joining Forces in June 2011 to mobilize backing from every sector of society to help these individuals find work and other resources.
"I hope you know how much your country appreciates you," the first lady told the audience. "People across America have your backs ... from everyone here at the White House and the Department of Defense ... to doctors, college professors, community and faith leaders. It's because of you and what you've given this country."

Related Sites:
Joining Forces

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013

04/17/2013 06:59 PM CDT Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 4:43 AM
First Lady Joins Maryland Governor at Veterans' Bill Signing

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 17, 2013 - First Lady Michelle Obama joined Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley today at the State House here as the governor signed into law the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013.
The Defense Department collaborated in development of Maryland's comprehensive bill, designed to streamline credentialing and licensing procedures for service members, veterans and their spouses.
"We have asked them to risk their lives in combat, manage dozens of peers, operate complicated machinery, oversee millions of dollars of assets and save lives on the battlefield," Obama said. "And then, when they come home, we're also asking them to repeat months of training for skills they've already mastered. So we have to ask ourselves: how does this make sense?"
The first lady said enacting the bill represents more than merely "eliminating a few bureaucratic headaches" for veterans and their spouses.
"This is about improving the financial security for thousands of military families," Obama said. "It's about giving veterans and their spouses an opportunity to build their careers and create a better future for their children."
As part of their Joining Forces initiative, in February, the first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, addressed the National Governor's Association as part of a call to action to bring millions of veterans into the civilian workforce.
"With the Iraq war over [and] the war in Afghanistan winding down, more than a million service members are going to be hanging up their uniforms and transitioning back to civilian life," Obama said. "And that comes on top of the hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses already out there looking for work."
While the first lady noted much progress in veterans' employment over the past few years, she acknowledged that there is still more work to do. As of March 2013, roughly 783,000 veterans were unemployed and looking for work, including 207,000 post-9/11 veterans.
"We need more businesses to make big, bold commitments to hire and train our veterans and military spouses," Obama said. "We need more hospitals ... colleges and employers from every sector to recognize our veterans' and military spouses' unique skills and experiences and give them a fair shot at a job."
Prior to the bill-signing, Obama visited the U.S. Naval Academy, where she ate lunch with midshipmen and met with a number of health care professionals who have served the country for years and mastered highly technical, high-demand skills.
Introducing the first lady at the State House was 23-year Navy veteran and former Senior Chief Petty Officer Andrew Heit, who suffered a traumatic brain injury while on active duty. Heit said he experienced anxiety about pursuing a degree.
"Even though I served this country for more than two decades as a radar tech, an avionics electronics technician and an avionics instructor, I was unable to receive even a single college credit with all of my military experience and numerous formal training courses I completed on active duty," Heit said. "Legislation that's being signed today will ensure the well-deserved recognition of our country's veterans' efforts of service and acknowledge their military experience and their formal training received while serving our country."
The legislation, Heit emphasized, will remove the barrier of time.
"It will help shorten the time required to complete the desired degree by allowing credit for the often-expensive knowledge [veterans] have gained during their military service," Heit added.
Maryland joins a growing list of states that have taken legislative or executive action to help service members, veterans and their spouses get the credentials they need to successfully transition to the civilian labor market.
"Your bill here in Maryland is one of the best bills we have seen in the entire country," Obama said. "You're helping our veterans obtain professional credentials ... earn college credit ... and making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers as they transfer to your state."
O'Malley also addressed the plight of veterans before signing the bill.
"These individuals should never come home, after overcoming all the barriers they have for us, and face barriers to employment, barriers to licensing, barriers that prevent them from keeping a roof over their children's heads and providing them with a loving home with economic security and dignity."

Related Sites:
Joining Forces

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Three guests with military

02/12/2013 12:35 PM CST
Guests With Military Ties to Join First Lady for Address
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2013 - Three guests with military ties will join First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, in the first lady's box at President Barack Obama's State of the Union address tonight.
They are:
-- Marine Corps Sgt. Sheena Adams, who was deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand province from September 2010 to April 2011 in direct support of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. In September 2011, she returned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's advisor training cell, where she re-engineered the program of instruction for female engagement team members. She is a native of Kauai, Hawaii, and now lives in Vista, Calif.

-- Marine Corps Sgt. Carlos Evans, who was on his fourth overseas deployment when he suffered injuries in Afghanistan that resulted in the loss of both of his legs and his left hand. During his recovery, he met the first lady and later visited the White House, where the president signed his prosthetic arm. He credits the support he has received from private organizations to Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden's efforts in the Joining Forces initiative. In 2012, he received a custom home from Operation Coming Home. A Puerto Rico native, he and now resides in Cameron, N.C., with his wife and two young daughters.

-- Tracey Hepner of Arlington, Va., is co-founder of the Military Partners and Families Coalition, which provides support, resources, education and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military partners and their families. She a master behavior detection officer for the Homeland Security Department, and is married to the first openly gay or lesbian general officer in the military, Army Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith.