Introducing the Joining Forces Community Challenge

Dr. Biden visits with members of the 157th Air Refueling Wing in New Hampshire at a military appreciation event July 24, 2011. (by New Hampshire National Guard)

Yesterday Dr. Jill Biden had the chance to participate in an annual event called “Operation Thank You!” in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Launched in 2004 as a way to thank and honor the military and their families for all of their sacrifice, Operation Thank You! has grown into one of the most successful military appreciation events in New England – raising funds and giving thousands of military families a day of well-deserved fun and recognition. 

Dr. Biden spoke to the crowd and met with many of the families in attendance, and she thanked the various sponsors and organizers for doing their part. The event was a great example of the types of action and outreach we are trying to encourage around the country through the Joining Forces initiative.  To make Operation Thank You! a success, businesses, nonprofit organizations, religious groups and individuals from the local community stepped up and offered services and support. 

In the past few years, The First Lady and Dr. Biden have seen some incredible examples of people reaching out  to military families – and they want to formally applaud these efforts.  That is why Dr. Biden announced yesterday that she and the First Lady are launching the Joining Forces Community Challenge, which will recognize individuals and groups around the country who are making a difference in the lives of military families. 

As Dr. Biden said yesterday, “We are really excited about this program and hope you will go to our website to learn how you can nominate a group or an individual who has come up with a creative or innovative way to make life a little easier for our military families.  The idea can be large or small, new or old, as long as it demonstrates in some way the tremendous gratitude all of us feel for our military families.”

Every American has the ability to make a difference in the life of a military family – check out the Joining Forces Challenge to nominate someone you know who deserves to be recognized for their efforts today!