Joining Forces Blog

  • PHOTO: First Lady Michelle Obama on Nickelodeon’s iCarly

    Posted by Kori Schulman on June 15, 2011 at 10:02 AM EDT

    On Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama filmed a special appearance on Nickelodeon’s iCarly to bring awareness to Joining Forces, her initiative to support our nation's military families. iCarly’s lead character, Carly Shay, is the daughter of a Colonel currently serving overseas and the episode focused on Carly’s service to America as a member of a military family.

    First Lady Michelle Obama makes a special appearance on "iCarly"

    First Lady Michelle Obama makes a special appearance on Nickelodeon's television series "iCarly" during a taping in Los Angeles, Calif. June 13, 2011. The First Lady appeared on the show to promote the Joining Forces military families initiative. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

     
    Join Mrs. Obama in supporting our military families and find ways you can get involved today.

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  • NASCAR Helps Drive Americans to Support Military Families

    Posted by Rohan Siddhanti on June 10, 2011 at 4:23 PM EDT

    When First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched their initiative, Joining Forces, to support our nation’s military families, American citizens, communities, and businesses answered the call. Recently, Walmart and NASCAR came together to create a public service announcement campaign to recognize the sacrifices and challenges that military families face across the United States.

    These PSAs, featuring some of NASCAR’s best known drivers, will be shown in hundreds of Walmart locations around the country. Check out the video with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and First Lady Michelle Obama:

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  • Steps Across America to Help Military Families

    Posted by Darienne Page on June 9, 2011 at 4:24 PM EDT

    Troy Yocum returned from Iraq in the Summer of 2009 with one thought on his mind: he had to do more. While deployed, he had received a letter from a friend who’d been laid off and was in need of help. Troy found help for his friend, but knew that there were many other veterans and military families out there in need. He wanted to do something for them, too. So he pulled out a map. “I drew a line from Lexington [Kentucky] to Louisville [Kentucky],” he said. He thought that by walking between two cities in his home state, he could help raise money and awareness for veterans and military families in need. “But then I said, I need to go bigger than that – what if I walked across the country and back in one single trek?”

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  • The First Lady Lauds Strength, Resilience of Military Kids

    Posted by Elaine Sanchez on June 6, 2011 at 6:42 PM EDT

    Ed. Note: Cross posted from The Department of Defense News

    First Lady Michelle Obama lauded the graduating seniors of Quantico Middle/High School here last night for their strength, resilience and maturity as they came of age in military families during a time of war.

    "I think that all of you are incredibly special,” Obama told the class of 36 students, who greeted the first lady with a standing ovation and a resounding cheer at their commencement.

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  • “Thank You”: Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden to Our Service Members in Naples, Italy

    Posted by Dr. Jill Biden on June 5, 2011 at 4:44 PM EDT

    Yesterday, my husband and I were honored to visit with some of our service members and their families at the Navy’s Capodichino base in Naples, Italy. I was proud to be there as Second Lady of the United States, but I was even more proud to be there as a military mom.

    We were there for a simple reason, and that was to say thank you.

    Dr. Jill Biden poses for a photo at the Naval Support Activity Naples

    Dr. Jill Biden poses for a photo while greeting sailors and other branch service members at the Naval Support Activity Naples, in Naples, Italy June 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

    On a daily basis, each of these men and women show us what words like service, strength, and sacrifice really mean. Our military families serving in the United States and around the world are truly inspiring, and they need to know that everyone at home appreciates all that they do for our nation.

    The First Lady and I are working hard through our Joining Forces initiative to make sure that every American understands the sacrifices that our service members and their families are making for the security of this nation. And we’re encouraging all Americans to find ways to give back in any way they can.

    Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden speak to and greet sailors and other branch service members

    Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden speak to and greet sailors and other branch service members at the Naval Support Activity, in Naples, Italy June 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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  • Our Nation’s Warriors

    Posted by Stephen McDonough, M.D., on June 3, 2011 at 12:08 PM EDT

    Cross posted from the Let's Move! blog.

    On May 9th, 2011, I joined fellow members of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition on the South Lawn of the White House.  We had the opportunity to participate in and lead exercise stations with military families on a beautiful spring day in Washington.  These military families, and the many others across the country, need as much support as possible as they sacrifice to protect our country. At the event, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that Council members had each committed to participating in at least two events this year as part of the Council’s support of Joining Forces, the national initiative launched by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden to honor and support service members and their families. 

    I had the honor to attend the 2nd Annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs on May 19, 2011.  The United States Olympic Committee and the Department of Defense co-sponsored the Warrior Games which were held at the Olympic Training Center. 

    Stephen Lunt

    Marine Sergeant Stephen Lunt after receiving a bronze medal in archery with Council member, Dr. Stephen McDonough. May 9, 2011.

     

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