The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden address the National Governors' Association and talk about their initiative to support America's military families.
Earlier today, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden spoke to the meeting of the National Governors' Association here at the White House about an issue important to both: military families. Over the past two years, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have traveled around the country and around the world, visiting with service members and their families, hearing their stories firsthand. Today, they called on America's Governors and all Americans to join their effort.
"So we’re going to need your help," said First Lady Michelle Obama, "We’re going to need your support and encouragement to make this a reality. We’re very excited about this initiative because we think that this will not only help our troops and their families, but it will help us as a nation link together and be even stronger."
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First Lady Michelle Obama listens as Dr. Jill Biden delivers remarks to a bipartisan group of governors attending the National Governors Association’s meeting in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 28, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
As an educator, I love hearing about the ways schools and teachers support military children during the deployment of a parent.
Just a few weeks ago, an amazing teacher near Ft. Stewart in Georgia told me how she sets up parent-teacher conferences over the Internet, so she can update deployed parents on their children’s progress in the classroom. Many of the military children in that school keep laminated pictures of their deployed parent on their desk.
There are so many great and inspiring stories which demonstrate that every American can take their time, their expertise and their passion and use it to support and thank a military family.
First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks to a bipartisan group of governors attending the National Governors Association’s meeting in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 28, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Because in the end, this is something that I think we can all agree on, no matter where we come from, no matter what we might think about any other issue. We all know that this issue -- this is not a Democrat issue, this is not a Republican issue. This is an American issue. And more importantly, this is an American obligation. It truly is.
It’s about showing our gratitude to that very small group of Americans who make such a tremendous contribution and sacrifice to this country. And it’s about serving the people who sacrifice so much to serve us.
To find ways you can help support America's military families and create your own service opportunties, visit Serve.gov.
