West Wing Week: 04/19/13 or “Selflessly. Compassionately. Unafraid.”

This week, the President responded to the terror attack in Boston, met with AmeriCorps volunteers, invited the Wounded Warrior riders to the White House, and for the first time, asked a citizen to deliver the weekly address.

Friday, April 12^th

• The Midshipmen of the US Naval Academy visited White House to receive the Commander-in-Chief trophy, their 8th in 10 years, from the Commander- in-Chief himself.
• The President held a roundtable discussion with AmeriCorps volunteers where they discussed the importance of Americans engaging in community service.

Saturday, April 13^th

• The President asked a citizen, Francine Wheeler, who lost her son Ben in the Newtown shootings, to take his place and deliver the Weekly Address herself.

Monday, April 15^th

• The President made a statement about the explosions at the Boston Marathon.

Tuesday, April 16^th

• The President returned to the Press Briefing Room to give an update on the bombings in Boston.

Wednesday, April 17^th

• The First Lady joined Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley as he signed into law the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013.
• The Vice President participated in a live Google+ Hangout with mayors from across the country to discuss reducing gun violence.
• The President welcomed the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride in celebration of the seventh annual Soldier Ride.
• Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and families from Newtown, CT joined the President in the Rose Garden where he vowed to keep fighting for common sense measures to reduce gun violence.

Thursday, April 18th

• The President traveled to Boston where he spoke at an inter-faith service honoring the victims of Monday's bombings.