Joining Forces Blog

First Lady Michelle Obama Bringing the Support of Joining Forces to West Point

Posted by Ray Kimball on May 20, 2011 at 10:01 AM EDT

Tonight, in a historic first, Michelle Obama will address the Cadets and families of the United States Military Academy (USMA) Class of 2011 at their Graduation Banquet. I will have the honor and pleasure of accompanying her on the trip up the Hudson Valley, to what West Point graduates refer to as our “Rockbound Highland Home.”

I’ve spent a fair amount of time of widely varying lengths on the West Point campus. Four years as a student from 1991 to 1995, four days getting married on a brief break from flight school in 1996, and three and a half years as a history professor from 2005 to 2009. I’ve gotten to know the campus pretty well in that time, but this trip is a chance to see it through the fresh eyes of Mrs. Obama and her staff.

At the banquet, The First Lady will speak to the core of what it means to serve the nation as an officer in the armed forces. She will invoke those hallowed words shining brightly on the USMA Crest – Duty, Honor, Country – that have served as a signpost for the generations of West Point graduates that have come before, the Long Gray Line. And she’ll talk about the challenges that lie ahead as these men and women move forward to defend a nation at war.

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First Lady Michelle Obama Talks with Faith and Community Leaders About Joining Forces

Posted by Alexia Kelley on May 19, 2011 at 2:55 PM EDT

We are fresh off an inspiring call with First Lady Michelle Obama and over 1,800 faith and community leaders from across the country who gathered to discuss Joining Forces, an initiative started by the First Lady and Dr. Biden to support our nation's military families. The call focused on how congregations and community groups can give back, and several faith leaders shared their ongoing work to support military families and veterans.

The purpose of Joining Forces, the First Lady noted, is to lift up and share that good work, and to invite others to join, expand or initiate efforts to support military families. Leading up to Memorial Day weekend, the First Lady and Joshua DuBois, director of the White House Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership Office, mentioned several specific ways that faith and community groups can get involved in Joining Forces. Mrs. Obama pointed out you don't necessarily have to be an expert in military family issues to make a difference, highlighting some of the ways community leaders can give back:

You can build on what you already do best, whether it’s family counseling programs that you already have. Maybe you have a youth ministry or a career mentoring program that’s already in existence. And you can work and ensure that you’re helping families in your congregations and in your communities.
- Ensure that existing ministries and services are accessible to military families and veterans.
- Start a new ministry or service for military families or veterans, or partner with an existing program in your community.
- Coordinate a once-a-year fair, an event or some kind of service activity that’s focused on military families.
- Help raise awareness about the issues and challenges that military families and veterans face, as well as their service and strengths that some of their neighbors may not fully be aware of.
Speakers on the call shared eloquently about the practical ways that congregations can partner with existing efforts, replicate successful programs, or ensure that their own programs reach military families and veterans in their community. Candy Hill with Catholic Charities USA, discussed the work of her local parish to help military families who had an injured family member. Chaplain Colonel William Sean Lee with the Maryland National Guard talked about the Partners in Care initiative which coordinates support for Maryland National Guard members during times of crisis or need. We look forward to sharing more stories about the work faith and community leaders are doing around the country to support military families.

Alexia Kelley is the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Email whpartnerships@who.eop.gov to stay connected with the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

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The President at Coast Guard Academy Commencement: "I’ve Seen Your Devotion to Duty"

Posted by Jesse Lee on May 18, 2011 at 2:41 PM EDT

Watch President Obama give the Commencement Address to the Coast Guard Academy, here.

The President gave his last Commencement Address of the season this afternoon at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He spent the bulk of his time walking the graduating class down memory lane of the years of tough training and education they had endured, but first he spoke about his personal experience with the Coast Guard:

I have to say, it is a personal pleasure to be here, because since the day I took office, the United States Coast Guard has played a special role in my presidency and with my family. I’ve seen the Coast Guard’s precision when some of you -- the Class of 2011 -- marched in the parade during my inauguration. You looked pretty good on that day, too. (Laughter.) It was a little colder that day, if you recall. (Laughter.)

I’ve seen your devotion to duty -- all along the Gulf Coast -- when the Coast Guard, including members of this class, worked day and night, tirelessly, as you led the largest environmental cleanup in our nation’s history.

I’ve seen your pride, when I was in, of all places, Afghanistan. I was in Bagram, thanking our troops for their service. And I was giving a shout-out to every service -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. And then, way in the back of the crowd, a voice shouted out: “and Coast Guard!” (Laughter.) There was no ocean in sight. (Laughter and applause.) Not a body of water visible anywhere. (Laughter.) But the Coast Guard was there, serving with honor, as you have in every major conflict that our nation has ever fought.

Cadets file into Leamy Hall to take their seats at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation ceremony in New London, Conn., May 18, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Barack Obama and Ensign Jennifer Proctor make the 'shaka' sign as they pose for a photo during the 130th Coast Guard Academy Commencement ceremony in New London, Conn., May 18, 2011. Proctor and President Obama, who both graduated from the same high school in Hawaii, are joined by her father, U.S. Army Col. James Proctor. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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Joining Forces with Faith and Community Leaders

Posted by Joshua DuBois on May 18, 2011 at 9:35 AM EDT

Serving others is a common theme among many faith traditions and is intricately woven into the fabric of our great nation. The brave men and women of our nation’s military and their families serve us daily and make great sacrifices to do so. They deserve to be cared for at home, after they have fought to protect our freedoms.

In keeping with our commitment to care for our service men and women, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have started the Joining Forces Initiative. Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. So many faith-based and community organizations are already supporting military families and veterans in countless sways. Through Joining Forces, we want to support your ongoing good work and invite more faith and community groups to get involved in military family and veterans issues.

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Video: Let's Move! and Military Families South Lawn Event

Posted by Jaime Mulligan on May 13, 2011 at 5:08 PM EDT

You may have seen our post on Monday about First Lady Michelle Obama announcing new collaborations to support our military families and ensure that everyone can get out and get moving. Check out some video from the event featuring the First Lady and members of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, including Dominique Dawes, Chris Paul, Grant Hill, and Billie Jean King:

Watch Military Families with Let's Move! on the South Lawn, here.

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Inspiring Americans to Recognize and Reach out to our Military Families

Posted by Jason Dempsey on May 12, 2011 at 11:56 AM EDT

Ed. Note: May is Military Appreciation Month. Find ways to show your support for our service members and their families at JoiningForces.gov.

At an event last week, I was wearing my dress uniform and dozens of people made the effort to thank me for my service to our country. After close to two decades in the United States Army I am used to being recognized, but on the eve of Mother’s Day I couldn’t help but think of those who rarely if ever get thanked for their service and the sacrifices they have made on our Nation’s behalf.

I thought of my Mom, a young Army wife during the Vietnam War who saw her husband off just two months after my sister’s birth. My mom never wore a uniform but that didn’t mean she didn’t have to raise a child alone for a year, nor did it mean that she wouldn’t be responsible for packing and picking up a household twelve times over twenty years. She did all of that, in addition to being a tireless volunteer on behalf of other military families. It was probably because she made Army life seem so rewarding, despite the instability, that my sister and I both joined the service.

First Lady Michelle Obama addresses military spouses, relatives and friends in the East Room of the White House for a Mother's Day Tea Party May 6, 2011. Dr. Jill Biden stands at right. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

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