First Lady Michelle Obama Pays Easter Visit To Military Families At Walter Reed Fisher House

Holiday treats: Mrs. Obama delivers cookies from the White House Pastry Shop, and tickets to the Easter Egg Roll...
First Lady Michelle Obama doubled as the Easter Bunny on Wednesday afternoon, delivering cookies from the White House Pastry Shop and a couple of fun surprises to the military families living at Fisher House #4 on the campus of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Clad in a pastel yellow cardigan and a floral shirt, Mrs. Obama was celebrating both Easter and April's Month of the Military Child. (Above: Mrs. Obama receives Easter cards from the kids)

“It is always one of my favorite things to come visit Fisher House,” Mrs. Obama told the group of about 45 recovering service members, their spouses and children. “This house is a home away from home to so many of our military families. The work they do here is amazing. Every single house that I have visited is just like this -- the level of quality, the level of comfort, the staff is always is amazing."

The First Lady was joined by Deanie Dempsey, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey as she participated in an Easter-themed craft session with the kids, who are living with their families at the residential house while a loved one receives specialized medical treatment. Mrs. Obama also brought a family member with her to spread holiday cheer.

"I brought one of my best friends in the whole world, my only son," Mrs. Obama said, pointing to First Dog Bo. An attempt to put pink silk bunny ears on Bo's head caused a lot of laughs. The First Lady had another treat for the families, too: Tickets to next Monday's White House Easter Egg Roll.  (At left: Bo looks up while his mistress holds the bunny ears)

"You guys are all invited to the White House," Mrs. Obama said. "It's going to be so much fun....We've got hula-hooping, and we've got tennis, and we've got games. So come ready to play, okay?"

Mrs. Obama brought Bo around to visit with kids and family members at each of five craft tables, and every child gave her a handmade Easter card. Before leaving, the First Lady autographed copies of President Obama's childrens book, Of Thee I Sing. (Above: Mrs. Obama hands a book to Darnell Jones of Baton Rouge, La)

The Walter Reed Fisher House is just one of the many donated by The Fisher House Foundation, which builds homes built on the grounds of major military and Veterans Affairs Department medical centers. These are designed to give family members a comfortable place to stay to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease or injury. President Obama donated part of his Novel Prize money to the Fisher House Foundation.

“Our military families, our troops -- you all deserve this kind of high-level treatment for what you go through for this country, for what you sacrifice,” Mrs. Obama said.

After the Easter fun, Mrs. Obama visited with Wounded Warriors being cared for at the Medical Center, in an outing that was closed to press. Earlier in the day, she held a conference call to announce a new jobs project for military spouses, with 11 companies committing to creating 15,000 jobs. on.

Mrs. Obama embarks on a two-day tour on April 11 and 12 to celebrate the one-year-anniversary of her Joining Forces campaign to support and honor military families.

Photos by AP/pool.