Remarks by the First Lady at Fisher House Tour and Ribbon Cutting

Fisher House, Bethesda, Maryland

11:25 A.M. EST

      MRS. OBAMA:  Well, thank you.  Thank you, Ken, for that very kind introduction.  And I want to thank you and your wife, Tammy, for your outstanding work through the Fisher House Foundation.

      I also want to recognize our Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus; the Commander of this medical center, Admiral Matthew Nathan and his wife, Captain Tammy Nathan; and all of the other military and community leaders who are here with us today.  And Chase, too, back there.  (Laughter.)

      (Child makes noise.)

      MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  (Laughter.)

      I have to say it is a pleasure and it is an honor to join you as you open the doors of this beautiful house, one of the three new Fisher houses that you’re opening here at The National Navy Medical Center.

      Every day, this house and others like it across this country remind us of a simple truth: that when our men and women in uniform are called to serve, their families serve, too.  Their sacrifice is their families’ sacrifice, as well.  And that’s particularly true in times of crisis when our service members and veterans are sick or wounded and are struggling to get well again.

      We know the toll that can take on a family, both personally and financially, especially when a loved one is receiving treatment far away from home.  We know the fear and the anxiety that these families experience.  We know the prohibitive costs of hotels and transportations, costs that have kept many family members apart, and placed tremendous burdens on so many others.

      Now, we’re fortunate to have places like this medical center that provide world-class care for our men and women in uniform.  But we also know that often, in order to heal, our service members need more than the best medical treatment.  They also need folks who will travel that road to recovery with them; the spouse who sits by the bedside and serves as their champion and their voice day after day; the parent who pushes and encourages them week after week; the son or daughter who reminds them of everything they have to look forward to.

      That is what Fisher House provides for so many military families –- that chance to be together when they need each other most.  Now, houses like this one allow them to leave behind their worries about costs and logistics and focus on what matters most -– helping their loved ones heal.

      And since the very first Fisher House was opened here at this hospital nearly 20 years ago, more than 130,000 families have been served.  And nearly 3 million days of lodging have been provided, saving families an estimated $100 million.

      And these numbers don’t even begin to capture the impact these houses have had -- the late nights families have spent in those kitchens laughing, crying and praying together; the lifelong friendships they’ve maintained; and the gratitude and relief they feel knowing that wherever they are, they’ll have a place to call home.  

      And we know the sacrifices these folks are making, putting their careers on hold, putting their own dreams aside, often working around the clock to care for those they love.

      And that’s why earlier this year, my husband signed legislation to provide new assistance for wounded warrior care providers to make their jobs just a little bit easier.  This legislation provides financial assistance, counseling, health insurance and respite care to those who need it most.

      The way I see it, this is the least we can do for these families.  And it’s the least we can do for the men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe.

      Now, I’ve had the privilege of visiting with many of these folks all across the country.  And I can tell you that they are simply extraordinary.  No matter how badly they’ve been wounded, no matter how much pain they’re in, they refuse to scale back their dreams.  They’re making plans.  They’re re-imagining their futures.  They tell me that they’re not just going to walk, but they’re going to run again, and that they’re going to run a marathon.

      And I’ll never forget the handwritten sign that one young man –- a Navy Seal named Lt. Jay Redman –- posted on his hospital room door when he was here back in 2007.

      Lt. Redman was shot eight times while serving in Iraq.  He endured dozens of surgeries, got 1,200 stitches, 15 skin grafts, and he spent 73 days here recovering.

      And after he left, he donated the sign to this hospital.  And I had the privilege of reading it when I was here back in October, and I wanted to take a moment just to share that sign with you today.  It reads:

      “To all who enter here: If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere.  The wounds I received, I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love.  I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery.  What is full?  That is the absolute utmost physically my body has the ability to recover.  Then I will push that about 20 percent further through sheer mental tenacity.  This room you are about to enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid re-growth.  If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere.”

      And as we open this house today, that is the spirit we honor –- the spirit of resilience and healing, that spirit of patriotism and service.

      That was the spirit that Ken’s Uncle, Zachary Fisher, sought to honor when he founded Fisher House two decades ago.

      And I think it’s worth noting that Zachary’s family was not a military family.  Neither Zachary nor his wife Elizabeth had ever served in our armed forces.

      But they loved their country, they had the highest respect and appreciation for those who served it, and they spent their lives showing their gratitude in every way they could.

      They remind us that even if we’re not part of a military family, we’re all a part of the American family, and every single one of us, every single one of us has an obligation to support the men and women who protect us, and the families who love them.  

      And during this holiday season especially, I hope that we all recommit ourselves to that critically important work.

      So I want to thank you all.  I want to thank our service men and women.  I want to thank their families, the Fisher family.  You all are doing some incredible work.  And we’re proud to be a part.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

                   END                         11:33 A.M. EST

Remarks by the First Lady at Holiday Press Preview

East Room

12:29 P.M. EST

      MRS. OBAMA:  Well, hello, everyone.  Good morning.

      AUDIENCE:  Good morning.

      MRS. OBAMA:  And Happy Holidays.  All right now, it’s Christmas.  I know you guys are in the military and you keep your kids -- but they can scream!  It’s Christmas!   It’s exciting!  They're so disciplined.  (Laughter.)

      Well, it’s good to have you all.  I want to thank you all for joining us today as we kick off the holiday season here at the White House.  And this is a very exciting time here at the White House for me and our family.

      Now, looking around, it’s easy to see and hopefully you guys have gotten to see a little bit, but you’ll get to see more, but you can understand why this is one of my favorite times of the year.  It really is.

      First of all, seeing all you beautiful kids dressed up and looking so smart and pretty and beautiful in your dresses is just so exciting.  But we’ve got -- here at the White House we have 19 Christmas trees in every corner of the White House.  So there are 19 Christmas trees here, right?  So when you walk around you count them, okay, to make sure that I was right.  All right?

      We have a giant Bo made out of pipe cleaners.  Have you all seen that yet?  Well, you’re going to see that.  It’s pretty, pretty shocking.  But it’s very cool and he’s very soft.

      We have 350 pounds of gingerbread house that you’ll get to see that took our wonderful pastry chef Bill Yosses and his team and entire month to create.  It took him a month to make this.  So you guys are going to get to see that.

      We also have some creative stations that we’ll be doing some projects this afternoon.  And I’m going to help, hopefully, if it’s not too messy.

      And over the next few weeks, more than 100,000 people will walk through these halls to enjoy the decorations and get in the holiday spirit.

      And you guys are some of the first families to see the house.  Do you realize that?  Nobody else but our family and our volunteers has seen this yet, so this is a very special day, and we’re glad to have you.

      But in many ways, this is really what the White House is all about.  And I say this all the time.  It’s the “People’s House.”  It’s a place that is steeped in history, but it’s also a place where everyone should feel welcome.  And that's why my husband and I have made it our mission to open up the house to as many people as we can, especially during the holiday seasons.

      So it goes without saying that when you look around, that our family never could have done all of this wonderful decorating on our own.  In fact, we only did a little bit of it.  That's why over the last few days nearly 100 volunteers from all over the country have been working so hard.  They’ve been making all the ornaments that -- many of them that you’ve seen.  They’ve been hanging the lights and transforming these rooms into breathtaking works of art.  And I have to say the house looks more beautiful than it did last year.  It is really something special.

      So I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped pull this house together -- all of our volunteers, all of the artists, all the planners, all the White House staff.  Every single person in the White House is in involved in turning this house into what you see today.

      And any and everyone who has helped to bring joy to so many people, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the work that you’ve done.  In the end, that spirit of kindness and generosity is really what the holiday season is all about.  And it was the idea behind this year’s theme, which is “Simple Gifts”.  That's the theme this year, “Simple Gifts,” because in the end, the greatest blessings of all are the ones that don't cost a thing -- the time that we spend with our loved ones, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and the joy we feel from reaching out to those in need.

      And that's why our holiday decorations this season include a children’s tree, with some beautiful gingerbread ornaments that were decorated by children of our troops.  And hopefully you’ll get a chance to see that, as well.

      We also have a very special Military Appreciation Tree in honor of our men and women in uniform who can’t always spend the holiday season with the people they love the most.  It is the creation of Deborah Mullen, my dear friend and the wife of Admiral Mike Mullen, who has been an incredible advocate for military families and is here with us today.  So, Deborah, I know you hate this, but please stand so that we can thank you.  (Applause.)

      We are also honored to be joined by so many members of the military and their families today, folks who show us every day with their service truly what it means to put others above self.  And as First Lady, I’ve had the privilege of meeting our men and women in uniform on bases and in hospitals and in communities all across the country.  And I say this all the time, but when I make those visits, I come away not just with a sense of pride and gratitude, but also with a sense of awe, both at their courage and their sacrifice and at their commitment to serving their country and their communities.

      That’s what the folks here today are doing with a very special program, “Toys for Tots,” that is run by the Marine Reserves.  Each of them has volunteered their time, collecting and distributing some of the millions of toys that will be delivered to children this year.  “Toys for Tots” is just one example of how our military families are serving our communities and Americans in need all around the country, year-round.

      And I’m thrilled that the White House staff will be supporting their efforts with a toy drive to help make this holiday a little bit brighter for children right here in the D.C. community.  This is the second year that we’ve participated.  So I want to thank you all so much for coming.  I hope that you enjoy yourselves here today.  I want to thank you for your service and your work.  I want to thank your families for the sacrifices you all make, especially our little people who sacrifice just as much as the big people do.  This is your time of year.

      So we wish you guys a happy and healthy holiday season.  We want you to enjoy this day, this time here at the White House.  Have fun.  Moms, they’re going to get a little messy, so just bear with them.  So make sure you have fun.

      And now, I would like to introduce the President and CEO of “Toys for Tots,” Lieutenant General Pete Osman, who is going to share some more of the details about this year’s program.

      So thank you all, and let’s welcome the General.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)

      GENERAL OSMAN:  Mrs. Obama, let me start off with -- by thanking you so, so much not just for having us here today, but for what you did last year.  For those of you who don’t know, the First Lady last year stepped up and said she really wanted to assist with “Toys for Tots,” and she did.

      I got to tell you that last year we had an incredibly successful campaign.  And there’s no doubt in my mind that the First Lady standing behind it really made it successful.  So, Mrs. Obama, you made a difference.  Thank you very, very much for that.  (Applause.)

      MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.

      GENERAL OSMAN:  Our First Lady made a difference and certainly as she has pointed out so many times, our military service members today are making a difference, certainly Marines amongst them.

      Marines have an opportunity though to make a difference in a very different way, not only in the protection of our country, but also in helping those less fortunate families and particularly less fortunate children at Christmas time through the “Toys for Tots” program.  Those of you who don’t know it, the Marine Corps has been doing “Toys for Tots” for 63 years.  And over those 63 years, the Marine Corps together with the thousands of volunteers have been able to distribute over 400 million toys to almost 200 million children.  What an accomplishment.

      But it couldn’t be done alone.  It really is the generosity of the American people that make it work.  So I once again appeal to that generosity of our American public to step forward and once again buy that toy, drop it in one of our barrels.  If it’s more convenient, go online to “Toys for Tots” and make that online donation.  It will make a difference.  In fact, a $25 or $30 donation goes a long way in helping a less fortunate child at Christmas time.

      And let me share just a quick story with you that will show you an example of what I’m talking about.

      A couple of years back, there was a wonderful family in D.C. -- Mom, Dad, five kids.  Happy family.  And unfortunately, tragedy struck.  The father took ill and quickly passed away.  The mom, who had been a stay-at-home mom, all of a sudden found herself having to find a job while still raising her five children.  She realized she was going to have to make some tough choices, and she did.  I mean, she had a house payment to make, utilities, food to buy, clothing and all that, and she said, “We’re going to have to cut Christmas this year.”

      Now, she had to make this decision early on, probably in the October time frame.  And she was comfortable with it.  But as Christmas drew nearer and nearer, she became very concerned.  In fact, on Christmas Eve, she was distraught.  She was beside herself with the thought on Christmas morning her children were going to come downstairs and there weren’t going to be any gifts under that little Charlie Brown Christmas tree that they had.

      Fortunately, the knock at the door came, and standing there were two Marines, a couple of volunteers, and a bunch of boxes full of toys.  So needless to say, for the Johnsons the next morning, they had a wonderful Christmas.

      But that’s not the end of the story.  Interesting thing was one of the toys was a big old red fire truck.  And one of her sons really took a liking to that fire truck.  That became his favorite toy that day and for the rest of the next year and actually to years after that.  And as you would have it, that fire truck had an impact.  Today, that man is one of D.C.’s finest.  He’s a firefighter with the D.C. Fire Department.

      So if you don’t think that toy makes a difference, just remember this story.  And the great thing is, is there are thousands of stories just like that out there.

      So I once again ask the American public to dig deep, be the generous Americans that you always are, buy that toy, put it in one of our barrels, make that online donation.  Believe me, it will make a difference.

      Work together with our Marines, our thousands of volunteers, and certainly the First Lady in bringing the joy of Christmas and sending a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.

      One last thing.  It’s only 24 days ‘till Christmas.  Thank you all very much.  (Laughter and applause.)

      MRS. OBAMA:  Well, we are certainly all going to do our part here at the White House.  And one thing I remember last year -- and just to note -- is that sometimes people forget about the broad range of children in a family.  And oftentimes, I know last year, there were a lot of wonderful toys for the little itty bitty ones, but then there was a gap in toys for kids who were sort of beyond toy age.

      So also, American public, when you’re out there shopping, thing about the cross-section, think about the teenagers, think about the pre-teens.  I know it’s exciting to go out there and buy the cute little toys, and we do that as well, but think about the spectrum as well as you shop.  That’s one thing we focused on here in the First Lady’s office is that segment of the youth population.

      So we know people will turn out this year.  Sounds like people are shopping away out there, and that’s a good thing.  And people should look for these boxes.  Go online.  We urge you to help make the holidays special for every family in this country.

      And to the Marine Reserves, you guys are amazing for what you do, because they do this on top of what they normally do.  There are a lot of good stories in the work that these folks do on this program.  So we’re very grateful to you all, and we’re going to do our part.  So thanks so much.

      And now we have a special surprise for the kids who are here.  I want to bring out three of our amazing White House artisans.  We’ve got Laura Dowling who is our florist, we’ve got Cris Comerford, Bill Yosses, and several of the White House chefs who are going to show us some of their holiday secrets.  You ready to see some secrets?  Want to see how some of the stuff is made?  You think -- are you ready for that?

      CHILDREN:  Yes.

      MRS. OBAMA:  Wait, wait, are you ready for that?

      CHILDREN:  Yes!

      MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, well, parents, you guys can stay here.  I know, they’ll be fine.  (Laughter.)  And breathe a little bit.  And we should bring you some eggnog or something.  (Laughter.)  But kids, if you stand up and follow these guys, right, they’re going to take you over to the room.  I’ll come and meet you guys over there.  And you can learn some of the secrets of how we do things here at the White House.  Okay?  Everybody march.  We’re marching.

      All right, we’ll see you guys over there.

                        END           12:44 P.M. EST