The First Lady Thanks Military Families: "You Take Care of America"

This afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to the Joint Armed Forces Officers Wives Club, highlighting military families’ remarkable strength and unyielding support. She reflected on the roundtable discussions she and Dr. Jill Biden held with military spouses that provided guidance for developing initiatives for President Obama's 2011 budget.

First Lady Michelle Obama attends the Joint Armed Forces Officers' Wives' Luncheon at Bolling Air Force Base January 26, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

She discussed new support for military spouses and children to be included in the upcoming budget:

• Increasing funds for military family support programs
• Reducing shortages in military child care
• Increasing funds for youth programs for military children
• Increasing funds for spousal career development
• New funding for quality Coast Guard housing

The First Lady called for Americans to support military families and thanked the spouses and children for their service to their communities. "You put your own priorities aside. You take care of one another. You take care of America. And as First Lady, I can’t thank you all enough and I promise you that I will use every ounce of my being to make sure that America always takes care of you."

First Lady Michelle Obama attends the Joint Armed Forces Officers' Wives' Luncheon at Bolling Air Force Base January 26, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)