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.

First Lady, Dr. Biden To Celebrate Joining Forces Anniversary With Tour, 'Colbert Report'

Tours is April 11 & 12, with stops in Pennsylvania, Louisiana & Florida...
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will mark the first anniversary of the Joining Forces campaign next week on April 11 and 12, with multiple events during a two-day tour that includes stops in battleground states. After kicking the celebration off at the White House on April 11, the First and Second Ladies will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Jacksonville, Florida for large-scale events. Both have traveled the US since launching the campaign. (Above: Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden during a Pentagon meeting on jobs)

Mrs. Obama will also travel to New York City on April 11 for an appearance on The Colbert Report. Host Stephen Colbert "has shown strong support for our troops," according to the East Wing. Mrs. Obama last appeared on the show during the 2008 campaign.

Mrs. Obama marked the two-year anniversary of the Let's Move! campaign in February, with eight events in four states, including four stops in Florida.

The news release from the East Wing:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the First Lady
_________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2012

First Lady Michelle Obama & Dr. Jill Biden to Celebrate First Anniversary of Joining Forces

April 11th and 12th visits include White House kick off; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Jacksonville, Florida

WASHINGTON – On April 11, 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will kick off a two-day tour celebrating the first anniversary of Joining Forces, their initiative to recognize, honor and serve military families. Since launching Joining Forces on April 12th, 2011, significant progress has been made to rally Americans around military families. Communities, businesses, schools, faith groups, non-profit organizations and individual Americans have made substantial commitments to show military families the support that they deserve. Through collaborative efforts with Joining Forces, these groups have helped thousands of veterans and military families find jobs, improved educational opportunities for military children, supported our nation’s wounded warriors and their caregivers, and honored our nation’s fallen. The Joining Forces two-day tour will highlight examples of organizations and companies that have made significant commitments to support military families.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden created Joining Forces to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support veterans and military families as they serve our country and throughout their lives. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned. The initiative focuses on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness -- while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of America’s veterans and military families. More information is available at: www.JoiningForces.gov.

The First Lady and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces tour schedule is below:

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

White House * 11:00 AM ET * Anniversary Celebration

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will kick off a celebration for military families and organization leaders that have played key roles in supporting our nation’s troops, veterans and families. Finalists of the Joining Forces Community Challenge will be the celebration’s special guests. Late last year, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden launched the Challenge to recognize and celebrate citizens, communities, and organizations who have demonstrated a deep commitment to service by improving the lives of military families and veterans. Hundreds of submissions were received and twenty finalists who found innovative ways to show their gratitude and support at the local level were chosen. These twenty finalists will travel from across the country to be honored at the White House. The finalists will be joined by the Challenge’s notable judges, Tom Brokaw – who will deliver opening remarks, J.R. Martinez, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, USO President Sloan Gibson and Deanie Dempsey, wife of General Martin Dempsey.

The Missouri Air National Guard's 571st Air Force Band “Sidewinder” will perform at the event. Last year, a fan’s video of the band performing at an airbase in Southwest Asia went viral on YouTube and garnered national attention.

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia * 2:15 PM ET* Nurses Nationwide Join Forces to Support Veterans and Military Families

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will announce a major initiative by more than 150 of America’s leading nursing organizations and more than 450 nursing schools in 50 states and territories to ensure our nation’s nurses are prepared to help meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families. Nursing leaders have committed to educating current and future nurses on how to recognize and care for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other combat-related issues. Collectively, this effort will reach over three million nurses in nearly every health care setting and every community in America.

New York City * The Colbert Report

First Lady Michelle Obama will appear on The Colbert Report to discuss her Joining Forces initiative. Host Stephen Colbert has shown strong support for our troops, including bringing his show to Iraq, broadcasting special episodes to honor returning troops, performing at numerous USO events and getting a military-style hair cut to show his solidarity with those in uniform. Military families of troops deployed to Afghanistan will be a part of the audience.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Shreveport, Louisiana * 1:15 PM CT / 2:15 PM ET * Announcing Joining Forces’ 50,000th Hire

Last August, President Obama announced a series of policies to increase veterans’ employment and asked the First Lady and Dr. Biden to lead an effort through Joining Forces to challenge the private sector to hire or train 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. Well on track to exceed this goal, First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Shreveport, Louisiana, to announce the 50,000th veteran or military spouse to have been hired by a company through the Joining Forces initiative. Mrs. Obama will visit the Kansas City Southern Railway Company, which has aggressively hired veterans in the last year because of the unique skill set that they bring to the job.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida * 6:00 PM ET * Honoring Young Women from Military Families

First Lady Michelle Obama will invite young women from military families to a celebration honoring their service to our nation as members of a military family. Mrs. Obama will deliver remarks to the high school junior and senior girls and their parents and reveal surprise guests who she invited for this special occasion.

###

Today: First Lady Michelle Obama Visits New York For Fundraising, Letterman Appearance

$25K reception with Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg & bowling with NFL stars...
First Lady Michelle Obama travels to New York City on Monday for two high-dollar 2012 fundraising events with celebrities, and to film her first appearance on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman. In addition to discussing President Obama's re-election effort, Mrs. Obama will tell Letterman about her Joining Forces initiative to support military families, and her plans for the project's one-year anniversary in April.

At 6:00 PM, the First Lady will headline a reception at Robert De Niro's Tribeca restaurant Locanda Verde, co-hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.  The event is also co-hosted by Star Jones, actors Angela Bassett, Lynn Whitfield, and Alfre Woodard; Tina Knowles, mom of Beyonce; and Tonya Lewis Lee, wife of film director Spike Lee. Tickets for the 6:00 PM event start at $5,000 and go up to $25,000. More details here.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Obama will bowl for dollars at a "Family Game Night" event at 3:30 PM at 300 New York - Chelsea Piers, hosted by Victor Cruz, wide receiver for the New York Giants, and NFL's Wale Ogunleye, who formerly played for the President's beloved Bears. $5,000 gets VIP status, which "includes photo reception and bowling shoes for up to five." More details here. The President was in Chicago and Atlanta last Friday, raising money at five different events, while Mrs. Obama was in Minneapolis, Minnesota at two fundraisers.

Mrs. Obama's debut on Letterman follows a sweep of the talk show circuit earlier this year to discuss the two-year anniversary of the Let's Move! campaign, making appearances on Tonight Show with Jay Leno, on Rachael Ray Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, as well as on Top Chef. (Above: The invitation to the De Niro event)

*Photo at top by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

President Obama's Table, A Nation's Gratitude Dinner

President and First Lady joined by specially selected guests...
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were seated at different tables during Wednesday night's A Nation's Gratitude Dinner. The 8:20 PM event in the East Room was a tribute to the Armed Forces and marked the end of the war in Iraq. More than 200 guests attended, with 78 service members of all branches and ranks selected to represent the 1.5 million Americans who served during the war. The full guest list. The menu of traditional American favorites is here. (Above: The President at his table with Visaya, left and Lochard)

Joining the President: CW4 Nelson A. Visaya, from Hawaii; Gunnery Sergeant Deverson Lochard from Silver Spring, MD; Petty Officer Third Class (HM3), Max R. Rohn from Longmont, CO; Master Sergeant Jeremy D. Coombs, Master Sergeant Jessica R. Coombs and 1st LT Paul S. Gonzalez.

Mrs. Obama was joined by a Gold Star family: Kim Felts, whose husband Army Colonel Thomas Felts, Sr., was killed in Iraq on Nov. 14, 2006, and their two youngest children, Thomas, Jr., 16, and Rebekah, 19. CLICK HERE for an interview with Kim Felts, at left of the First Lady in the photo above.

In this DoD video, Visaya talks about attending the dinner:



CLICK HERE for links to all posts about the thank you dinner for America's Iraq veterans and military families.

*AP photos; DVIDS video

Gold Star Family Will Sit With First Lady Tonight At "A Nation's Gratitude" Dinner

Kim Felts and her children will symbolize the families of the 4,475 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq war...
Kim Felts was asleep at her home in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on the morning of Nov. 15, 2006, when there was a knock at the door at 6:00 AM. The news changed her life forever: Her husband, Army Colonel Thomas H. Felts, Sr., with a Military in Transition Team stationed in Baghdad, had been killed the night before, aged 45. He left behind his wife of 23 years and four children, 3 girls and 1 boy, all still in school. This evening, the Gold Star wife and her two youngest, Thomas, Jr., 16, and Rebekah, 19, will attend President Obama and First Lady Obama's A Nation's Gratitude Dinner. Felts and the kids will be seated with the First Lady at her table in the East Room. Thomas Jr. will be wearing his father's pocket watch with his new tuxedo as he mingles with the Obamas, top military brass and US service members from all 54 states and territories and the District of Columbia. (Above: Felts speaking at the Survivor Outreach Services annual training in Orlando, Fla)

Though sorrow is what led to the White House invitation, Kim Felts is very excited about the evening.

"I think it's a great way for the country to honor the sacrifice and accomplishment of the war in Iraq and to say thank you," Felts said.

"And it's beyond my wildest dreams to sit beside the First Lady."

The family now lives at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where Felts has worked for three years for the Special Forces Command as a Family Readiness Program Specialist, devoted to helping other military widows deal with their "new normal," the grief that follows losing a loved one. She'll be telling Mrs. Obama about her work during dinner. Felts was instrumental in developing the outreach program; Mrs. Obama has relied on military family members like Felts for grassroots advice for her Joining Forces campaign.

The First Lady may have some weepy moments. She and the President hail military families as "the force behind the force," and Felts is indeed a force. Her husband, who served for two decades without going into combat before his Iraq deployment, was killed two days before he was scheduled to return home for R & R after eleven months in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Felts tells the story with the kind of calm that puts the sorrow in high relief.

"I have no regrets," Felts says. "I would live this life all over again."

Childhood sweethearts...
The couple met in high school and dated for seven years before they married when she was 23 and he was 24, and stationed at the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While attending University of Richmond, Tom, Sr. drilled with the Army Reserves and then was a member of the National Guard before rising through the Army ranks. Her husband had been trying to go to the Middle East since 9/11, Felts said, and when he finally got his first opportunity to go to Iraq in December of 2005, she encouraged him to go, never fearing for his safety.

Then a senior service fellow in the Advance Operational Art Studies Fellowship of the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, the Colonel volunteered for his tour and deployed in January of 2006. On the night he was killed, he was returning from a meeting at 11:30 at night, and went to clear an abandoned truck, a routine stop on the way back to his base. His vehicle was the first in a line of vehicles, and when they stopped at a concrete security barrier that turned out to be booby trapped with a bomb, that was it. The IED was triggered by a laser.

"He died within 30 minutes of being hit, his gunner was killed instantly, the interpreter was severely wounded," Felts said. The driver had cuts and bruises.

About 1.5 million Americans served in Iraq, beginning in March of 2003. 4,475 Americans were killed, and more than 32,000 were wounded.

Felts stressed that her husband "made the call, he chose the route" that was driven on the night he died, and that no one else was responsible for the kind of war casualty that was a daily fact of life for US troops during the combat operations in the Middle East.

"He lived his life doing what he loved, and died that way," Felts said.

He is buried in the small town where he was born and grew up, at Seven Pines Federal Cemetery, in Seven Pines, outside of Richmond.

There is one memory that bolsters Felts. The couple had regular Skype sessions each week, around 4:00 PM US time, but they'd had a brief phone call the morning Colonel Felts died; she was worried because the US news was filled with reports of a kidnapping in Afghanistan. The Colonel assured her he was fine, they joked a little, and he told her he loved her, and said he'd speak to her later during their regular Skype session. The call never came, but even then, Felts wasn't worried, she said.

"Isn't that a great last conversation?" Felts said. "He told me he loved me."

The kids are now doing "really well," Felts said, and she is duly proud of the fact that they remember their father for his deeds, rather than focusing on his death and their own loss. The children, she said, knew their father loved them and was very proud of them. Eldest daughter Sara Beth Bedgood, now 24, went to college and graduate school, and is now a social worker. She got married last June, "oddly enough," Felts said, to a reserve MP. Second daughter LeAnna is 22, and finishing her college degree in wetlands science. Rebekah, who will join her mother beside Mrs. Obama this evening, currently works full time at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant, and is heading to college in the Fall. The Colonel's death has been hardest on Thomas, Jr., Felts said.

"From the time he was born he was a daddy's boy," Felts said. "They were really close. It's hard to grow up in a house full of girls without that male role model."

Nerves and excitement about the White House visit...
The three Felts who will be at the White House this evening have never visited before, and though the President and Mrs. Obama have made stops at Fort Bragg, somehow they missed each opportunity to see the First Couple.

"I barely slept last night," Felts said. "I'm nervous!"

This evening, she'll be wearing the same bright pink gown she wore for her daughter's wedding.

"I have that great wedding memory in the dress already," Felts said.

The dinner, she said, "will be beautiful."

"I love the pageantry of formal military affairs."

Though there have been calls by some veterans' groups for a national ticker tape parade to mark the end of the war, Fells said she feels it's too early, since there are still troops deployed in Afghanistan.

She and the kids have rehearsed what they might say to the President and Mrs. Obama this evening. Thomas Jr. is a sports fanatic, and Felts, laughing, said she suggested he challenge the President to a game of hoops after dessert. Well aware of the First Lady's Kitchen Garden, Felts said she couldn't really have that conversation with Mrs. Obama: "I have a brown thumb."

Colonel Felts will one day hear the story of the dinner: The family is deeply religious, and has a deep faith in God, Felts said.

"I know we'll see him again one day," Felts said. "I know where he is."

*CLICK HERE for more on the dinner details and the guest list

*Photo by Evan Dyson, IMCOM Public Affairs

First Lady Travels To North Carolina For Fundraising, Let's Move! & Joining Forces

James Taylor joins Mrs. Obama for two fundraisers; the schedule...
First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday, March 2, doing multiple duty with events for her two signature campaigns, and attending three fundraising events for President Obama's re-election effort. Mrs. Obama will have an airport meet and greet for Joining Forces in Raleigh, followed by a Democratic National Committee reception fundraiser at the City Center Marriot. In Charlotte, Mrs. Obama will join school kids attending the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament and 100th Anniversary celebration for a Let's Move! event. After, she'll share the spotlight with North Carolina-raised singer/songwriter James Taylor for two fundraisers for the Democratic National Convention.

The Convention will be held in Charlotte next Fall, and both fundraisers with Taylor will be at the Ballantyne Hotel and benefit the Convention's host committee, the Committee for Charlotte 2012. There are two price points: The first event, a reception, has tickets starting at $250, while the second, featuring dinner and a performance by Taylor, has tickets starting at $12,500 per couple. Taylor has been invited by the Obamas to perform at the White House three times, including for last year's State Dinner in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and for the Country Music edition of "In Performance at the White House."

The First Lady's schedule:

Raleigh, NC * 11:30 AM – Mrs. Obama will arrive at Raleigh-Durham International Airport where she will be greeted by active duty and veteran service members along with their families from all branches of the military. Included in this group will be Naval Officer Lieutenant Jeff Ross, who recently returned from the longest naval ship deployment in 40 years and has served two combat deployments. He will be joined by his wife, Tricia, a Girl Scout leader and Program Manager for Blue Star Families’ Books on Bases program, and the couple’s four children.

Bianca Strzalkowski, a Marine Corps wife who was named the 2011 Military Spouse of the Year by Military Spouse magazine, will also greet Mrs. Obama. A military wife and mother of three, Bianca is also an active volunteer for her community. Since being named Military Spouse of the Year, she has created a Military Spouse Education Initiative to expand educational opportunities for her peers. She is the Director of Membership and Volunteer Outreach for Blue Star Families and is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River, in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Raleigh, NC * 1:00 PM – Mrs. Obama will deliver remarks at a Democratic National Committee reception at the City Center Marriot, where there will also be a luncheon. Tickets for the event start at $500 and will benefit the Obama Victory Fund.

Charlotte, NC * 3:30 PM – Mrs. Obama will join North Carolina school children for a Let’s Move! pre-game event during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament and 100th Anniversary celebration. The CIAA is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the nation and consists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) spanning the east coast from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.

Charlotte, NC * 5:30 PM - Joined by Taylor, Mrs. Obama will deliver remarks at two Democratic National Convention Committee events in Charlotte, NC.
##

*Photo by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

Let's Groove: Michelle Obama Celebrates Acting Debut With iCarly Screening For Joining Forces

First Lady "random dances," talks healthy school lunch efforts at special event for military kids...video...

By Marian Burros

Alexandria, VA: First Lady Michelle Obama shimmied and shook and pumped her fist as she did some "random dancing" with the iCarly cast members who joined her on Friday morning in the auditorium at the Hayfield Secondary School. The 1,500 students in the audience shouted and screamed and applauded just as loud as they did when the stars of the popular kids show came on stage. Mrs. Obama’s visit to the school, which has many children from military families enrolled, was to promote "iMeet The First Lady," an episode that premieres Monday on Nickelodeon. It's Mrs. Obama's debut as a sitcom actor. (Above: Mrs. Obama dancing with co-stars Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy)

"Got to dance on stage with Mrs. Obama #awesome," tweeted Miranda Cosgrove, who plays lead character "Carly Shay." She also "randomly dances" with Mrs. Obama on the show; the fun interlude is a regular feature.

The audience received the highest accolade from Jerry Trainor, who plays Carly's elder brother "Spencer" on the show. He said it was the loudest crowd the cast had ever had.

"It was piercing. It hurt my head. It even hurt my stomach."

Mrs. Obama is no stranger to Nickelodeon: The network has been a major supporter of her Let's Move! efforts, and located its "Worldwide Day of Play" in the backyard of the White House last year, where the First Lady announced a milestone for her campaign. She filmed iCarly last summer in Los Angeles, and onscreen she thanks military families, especially children, for the sacrifices they make. It is part of the Joining Forces initiative that she and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President, launched last April, to encourage Americans to support military families.

"We did this episode because we want the whole country to know how proud we are of all of you, and much we appreciate you as our little heroes," Mrs. Obama told the kids.

As an actor, the First Lady turns out to be a pro, though she previously said she was "terrified" during filming. The director of communications for Nickelodeon gives Mrs. Obama marks for her acting.

"She learned her lines like every other actor," said Dan Martinsen. "There weren't too many takes."

Jeanette McCurdy (l), who plays Carly's best friend “Sam Puckett," said Mrs. Obama was a calming presence on the set, and called the experience "one of the best days of our lives."

“We were all kind of hyperventilating and our internal organs were shutting down because we were so nervous," Puckett said. "And then she came to the set and called each of us by our first names and gave us a big hug and was just so nice and so professional and I think we all had a blast and I mean, it was just unforgettable."

On the show, Mrs. Obama talks about the importance of friendship and support for military kids, who find themselves in new schools every few years. She also tells Carly how proud she is of her. Her father, an Air Force Colonel, had to cancel a trip home and missed the birthday Carly had arranged for him. “It’s really tough when your Dad is away,” Mrs. Obama says onscreen.

First Lady talks school lunch during Q & A...

The First Lady and the cast sat in orange director chairs on stage, matching the many orange jackets and sneakers and hats in the audience, the Nickleodeon color, and took questions from the kids. Asked what she would like to do if she could do anything, Mrs. Obama said: “I’ve always wanted to fly. You just float over everywhere. You could go anywhere. You could go on a dime and you feel so free.” (Above, Mrs. Obama with the cast, from left Nathan Kress, McCurdy, Trainor, Cosgrove, and Noah Munck).

One child asked her about her work with school lunches, adding “Could you change ours?”

Whether it was a set up or not, Mrs. Obama plunged right in, telling the kids about the legislation that had been passed to put more nutritious food in the schools.

“So you should be seeing more vegetables, more fruits, more healthy foods,” she said.

There were a few boos. But Mrs. Obama persisted, telling them about the importance of eating healthy food “because we want you to be the next leaders out there.”

And she added “Thanks for asking. And eat your vegetables.” The boos turned to laughter.

Mrs. Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha are fans of iCarly, she said.

"I even get upset when I'm watching a re-run, so I'll be glad when the new episode comes out."

The Alexandria stop was the last of four made by the cast this week to preview the episode; they visited three military bases this week. The cast thought their next stop on Friday was the airport for a trip home, but they were in for a surprise. They got to tour the White House first.

The random dancing:

"iMeet The First Lady" premieres on Nickelodeon on Monday, January 16th at 7:30/6:30PM C.

*The transcript of the Q & A.

*Photos by by AP/pool

Week Ahead Schedule For First Lady Michelle Obama, Jan. 11-13, 2012

First public events for 2012: Campaign fundraisers, iCarly screening, Joining Forces announcement...
First Lady Michelle Obama will have her first public events of 2012 beginning next Wednesday, Jan. 11, when she'll kick off her 2012 campaigning for President Obama with a Democratic National Committee luncheon in Richmond, Virginia. On Friday in Alexandria, Mrs. Obama will join the cast of Nickelodeon TV show iCarly to screen the special episode "“iMeet The First Lady,” which she filmed last June in Los Angeles. (Above: Mrs. Obama and cast members during the episode)

"Miranda Cosgrove and the iCarly cast will be joined by Mrs. Obama at Hayfield Secondary School, a school with a large number of military children," the East Wing said. "They will screen the episode, participate in iCarly’s “Random Dancing” and answer questions from the students."

Mrs. Obama has said that iCarly is a favorite of daughters Malia and Sasha. The episode premieres on Nickelodeon on Monday, January 16th.

In between the two events, Mrs. Obama on Wednesday will announce a new commitment for the Joining Forces campaign from the medical profession, during remarks at Virginia Commonwealth University, also in Richmond. She'll zip over to Charlottesville afterwards for a DNC reception.

The First Lady's Schedule:

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Richmond, Virginia * 12:30 PM – Mrs. Obama will deliver remarks at a Democratic National Committee luncheon in Richmond.

Richmond, Virginia * 2:45 PM – First Lady Michelle Obama will announce a major commitment by the country’s top medical colleges and universities to create a new generation of doctors, medical schools, and research facilities to ensure that veterans, service men and women receive the medical care that they deserve.

Mrs. Obama will be joined by numerous leaders from academic medicine who are committing to pursue groundbreaking research in the areas of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). These leaders are also uniting with the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine to enhance education and share research, information, and best practices with each other in order to better serve veterans and their families.

The First Lady will deliver remarks at Virginia Commonwealth University – a national leader in TBI research and a strong partner with the local VA hospital.

Prior to this announcement, the First Lady will tour the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center’s Polytrauma Unit to visit wounded warriors and veterans receiving in-patient treatment, along with residents and attending physicians who have completed their Traumatic Brain Injury - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency training program at Virginia Commonwealth University. This visit will be closed press.

Charlottesville, Virginia * 5:15 PM - Mrs. Obama will deliver remarks at a Democratic National Committee reception in Charlottesville.

Friday, January 13, 2012
Alexandria, Virginia * Morning – First Lady Michelle Obama will join the cast of Nickelodeon’s iCarly at a special screening of “iMeet The First Lady,” a new episode featuring Mrs. Obama that honors America’s military children. The show’s lead character, Carly Shay (played by Miranda Cosgrove), is the daughter of an Air Force Colonel currently serving overseas in the military. In “iMeet the First Lady,” Mrs. Obama talks with Carly about her service to America as a member of a military family and thanks her friends for supporting her during her father’s deployment. The episode airs on Nickelodeon on Monday, January 16th.

The iCarly cast will host special screenings of “iMeet the First Lady” at military bases across the country starting on January 9th to give military kids the first chance to see the new episode. The cast will visit Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California; Naval Submarine Base, New London, Groton, Connecticut and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Wrightstown, New Jersey. As the final event of the tour, Miranda Cosgrove and the iCarly cast will be joined by Mrs. Obama at Hayfield Secondary School, a school with a large number of military children. They will screen the episode, participate in iCarly’s “Random Dancing” and answer questions from the students.

Mrs. Obama will also appear in a Joining Forces PSA produced by Nickelodeon that will debut immediately following the airing of “iMeet the First Lady” on the 16th.

*Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon

Video Weekly Address For Christmas: President And First Lady Thank The Troops

Service, sacrifice, and giving back to those in need unites Americans of all faiths...Currently on vacation in Hawaii, President Obama and First Lady Obama taped today's holiday address in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Dec. 16th. It is focused on honoring America's military for their service and sacrifice, and encouraging citizens to "give back" to the troops and to the needy, "especially our hungry and our homeless." The military was the focus of the 2011 Presidential holiday celebration at the White House, as the war in Iraq came to a close. (Above: The Obamas during the taping of the address)

"For many military families, the best gift this year is a simple one – welcoming a loved one back for the holidays. You see, after nearly nine years, our war in Iraq is over," President Obama says.

Mrs. Obama encourages civilians to get active in "giving back" by participating in "Joining Forces," her initiative to support military families.



Service and sacrifice is what unites Americans across all faiths, the President said.

"So whatever you believe, wherever you’re from, let’s remember the spirit of service that connects us all this season – as Americans. Each of us can do our part to serve our communities and our country, not just today, but every day."

The President arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday evening at 5:52 PM, and immediately took his family out to dinner at the Morimoto Restaurant in Waikiki.

The full transcript:

THE PRESIDENT: Hi everyone. As you gather with family and friends this weekend, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I – and of course Bo – want to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

THE FIRST LADY: This is such a wonderful time of year.

It’s a time to honor the story of love and redemption that began 2,000 years ago … a time to see the world through a child’s eyes and rediscover the magic all around us … and a time to give thanks for the gifts that bless us every single day.

This holiday season at the White House, we wanted to show our thanks with a special holiday tribute to some of the strongest, bravest, and most resilient members of our American family – the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and the families who support them.

THE PRESIDENT: For many military families, the best gift this year is a simple one – welcoming a loved one back for the holidays. You see, after nearly nine years, our war in Iraq is over. Our troops are coming home. And across America, military families are being reunited.

So let’s take a moment to give thanks for their service; for their families’ service; for our veterans’ service. And let’s say a prayer for all our troops standing post all over the world, especially our brave men and women in Afghanistan who are serving, even as we speak, in harm’s way to protect the freedoms and security we hold dear.

THE FIRST LADY: Our veterans, troops, and military families sacrifice so much for us.

So this holiday season, let’s make sure that all of them know just how much we appreciate everything they do.

Let’s ask ourselves, “How can I give back? How can my family serve them as well as they’ve served us”

One way you can get started is to visit JoiningForces.gov to find out how you can get involved in your community.

THE PRESIDENT: Giving of ourselves; service to others – that’s what this season is all about. For my family and millions of Americans, that’s what Christmas is all about. It reminds us that part of what it means to love God is to love one another, to be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. But that belief is not just at the center of our Christian faith, it’s shared by Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. It’s why so many of us, every year, volunteer our time to help those most in need; especially our hungry and our homeless.

So whatever you believe, wherever you’re from, let’s remember the spirit of service that connects us all this season – as Americans. Each of us can do our part to serve our communities and our country, not just today, but every day.

THE FIRST LADY: So from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.

THE PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everybody.

###

*Photo by Lawrence Jackson/White House

Transcript & Video: First Lady's Remarks, 2011 White House Holiday Preview

First Lady honors military families...
During an afternoon event in the East Room on Wednesday, First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the 2011 White House holiday decor. A full post about the event and the decor is here. (Above: Mrs. Obama during her remarks)

This year's theme "Shine, Give, Share," highlights Mrs. Obama's Joining Forces campaign, and honors military families, veterans, and troops. Click here to download the 2011 White House Holiday Tour Book.



Mrs. Obama was introduced by Jennifer Jackman, a Gold Star mother who helped create the Gold Star Family Christmas tree that stands in the East Wing.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady
____________________________

For Immediate Release
November 30, 2011

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY
AT HOLIDAY PREVIEW

East Room

1:33 P.M. EST


MRS. OBAMA: How is everyone doing?

AUDIENCE: Good.

MRS. OBAMA: You excited?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: You ready for Christmas?

AUDIENCE: Yes. (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA: Oh! Where are Malia and Sasha? (Laughter.) Well it’s great to have you all here, and your families as well.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the White House as we kick off the holiday season. This is -- oh, yes, here’s a little one, you come on up! (Laughter.) Come on up!

This is one of my favorite times of year, and I’m so glad to share it with all of you.

I want to start by thanking Jennifer for that lovely introduction, but more importantly, for all that you and your family have done for our country. Military families like yours, Jennifer, and all the ones who are here today truly represent what is best about America. And that’s something that I’ve seen again and again as I’ve traveled across the country over the past few years.

I have spoken with so many military spouses who are raising their kids alone while their loved one is stationed overseas for months at a time. I have heard from so many wonderful military children who pick up extra chores, and just step up and keep their grades going while mom or dad is away. And I’ve been inspired by the survivors of our fallen who keep giving back to the community day after day.

But I also know that not every American hears these stories. Not every American knows what a Blue Star family is, or a Gold Star family is. We don’t all understand what it’s like to be in a military family. And that’s one of the reasons why Jill and I started our Joining Forces initiative, because we wanted to rally all Americans to honor, recognize, and support our military families. We wanted to make sure that never again would someone have to ask the question, what is a Gold Star family, and what does that sacrifice mean? We all should know.

And it’s also why we’re using the holiday season here at the White House to highlight our troops and our veterans, and all of their families through this year’s theme, which is “Share, Give, Shine.” That’s the theme. “Share, Give, Shine.” It’s been a big secret, even to our volunteers. (Laughter.) “Share, Give, Shine.” You got it?

So throughout the house, we’ve found creative ways to pay tribute to folks like all of you. The first is in the East Landing, when you first come in as a visitor. As visitors enter, they’ll have the opportunity to send handwritten notes to our troops stationed all around the world. They’ll also see the Gold Star tree, which Jennifer and several other families helped to create, which honors our nation’s Gold Star families whose loved ones have made the greatest of sacrifices for our country. The tree is decorated with beautiful, special ornaments, each of which has a space for Gold Star families who visit here to write their loved one’s name and to hang it on the tree.

We’ve also surrounded the tree with photos, you’ll see, and stories from more than 800 Gold Star families. Each one showcases the strength and resilience that characterizes our Gold Star families. They are heartfelt notes, like this one from a wife in East Peoria, Illinois. She wrote about her husband, saying, and this is -- these are her words -- “He never thought of himself as a hero, but he always was to me. It is still hard to know he’s gone. He was my soul mate.” Or they’re simple messages, like this one from a mom in Anchorage, Alaska, and she wrote, “I love and miss you, son. Thank you for all of the great memories we shared.”

And we’re also honoring military families like all of you in the Blue Room -- the big tree -- where we decorated the official White House Christmas tree with cards we collected from some of our country’s military kids. So the tree is decorated by kids. That’s very cool. The notes are a lot of fun, as well, and you can ready them as you go through.

Some are inspiring, like the five children in Medical Lake, Washington, who wrote, “No matter how many Christmases our dad misses, he makes every Christmas special and we love him.”

You guys -- that’s why Santa comes. You guys are great!

And then there are some more matter-of-fact ones, like the one from the boy from El Paso, Texas, who wrote, “Hey Dad, it’s cool you’re in Italy. So when are you coming back because I already know what I want for Christmas.” (Laughter.) Just keep it straightforward.

Of course, we also have many of the traditional holiday favorites alongside these tributes to our military families. We have 37 Christmas trees here at the White House -- 37! That’s a lot, right?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: Yes, that’s a lot of trees. We also have a 400-pound White House gingerbread house. Ooh -- 400 pounds. And also, in several of the rooms -- and this is something you all have to look for -- we’ve stationed the most famous member of the Obama family. Who is that?

AUDIENCE: Bo!

MRS. OBAMA: Bo. (Laughter.) All right, so it’s sort of a "where’s Bo?" You’ve got to find the Bo in every room, because he’s hidden everywhere. So in one room, he’s 4-and-a-half feet tall and he’s made of felt -- you know, that soft material. And in another room, he's nine and a half inches tall, and he's made of buttons. Yeah, yeah, so you've got to look for him. So, trust me, our dog has been a little confused walking around the house for the last couple of weeks, seeing himself in gigantic form.

Those are just a few of this year's highlights, and I am so excited -- this is why it's fun -- that you all are the first of roughly 85,000 people who will visit the White House this holiday season. You're the first to see it! Yay! Yes! Score! (Applause.)

This will be such a wonderful memory for so many people, and that's why it's so special for us. And none of it could have happened without the nearly 100 volunteers we've had helping out over the past few days. They're 100 people who come from all over the country just to help decorate the White House. People like Jennifer and a few of the family members here.

So I want to finish -- end with another round of thank-yous. I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this house so beautiful; to all of the artists who put their creativity into use in decorating the trees and figuring out what colors we were going to use; to all the organizers, and everyone else who has made this house so beautiful and turned our simple ideas into reality. I want to thank all of the Gold Star families for your enduring strength and commitment to this country. And I want to thank all of the troops, all of our veterans, all of our military families, whose service and sacrifice inspires us all.

So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We can't say it enough. Thank you. I know for some of you, this holiday season will be tough. But hopefully, it's times like this that make you know that you live in a grateful nation, and that we are just so inspired by your sacrifice. And hopefully, this is a memory that will stay with you every holiday season.

So, with that, it's time for us -- are you guys ready to do some work? Yeah? All right. So I've got a little surprise for you. So, the parents, you guys stay seated. You guys want to come with me? We're going into another room, where we have some more surprises and -- could be cookies! I don't know. (Laughter.) I don't know. But we'll see.

So, you guys come with -- it could be -- I don't know what it is. Are you ready to come?

CHILDREN: Yes.

MRS. OBAMA: All right. So, you guys, grownups, you guys stay seated. We'll give you something to occupy your time. (Laughter.)

All right, you guys ready? All right, everybody follow me. And, little ones, if you want your mommies, your mommies can come, too -- for the little ones.

All right, you all, thank you so much. (Applause.)

END 1:43 P.M. EST
##

*Photo by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

Obama Makes Thanksgiving Calls To Troops

President calls 10 armed service members deployed in Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom...
In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, President Obama made calls to US military service members this morning, at around 9:00 AM ET from the Oval Office. (Above, in action)

According to the White House, “President Obama called 10 members of our armed services - two from each the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy - deployed in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. The President thanked each of them for their service and sacrifice and wished them and their families a Happy Thanksgiving.”

The President's weekly address also thanked the troops, and today First Lady Michelle Obama sent out an e-mail asking Americans to join the Joining Forces/USO "Thanks From Everywhere" campaign.

On Wednesday morning, President Obama granted a Thanksgiving pardon to turkey Liberty and his alternate Peace during the annual White House ceremony. In the afternoon, the First Family packed holiday grocery bags at a local food bank.

*Photo by Pete Souza/White House

First Lady Obama's 2011 Thanksgiving Message: Thank A Hero

Join the "Thanks From Everywhere" campaign...
President Obama's Thanksgiving Address honored America's Armed Forces, and First Lady Michelle Obama is asking Americans to do the same.

Mrs. Obama sent an e-mail and video this morning from the White House, asking Americans to thank members of the military for their service. The messages will be added to the "Thank You From Everywhere" map created by the USO and Joining Forces, Mrs. Obama's campaign to support military families.

"I can't think of any better way to spend Thanksgiving than letting our servicemembers know how grateful we are for everything that they do," Mrs. Obama wrote. "So this year...We've partnered with the USO to create a program called Thanks From Everywhere."

In her video, Mrs. Obama calls Jessica Allen, the wife of a service member injured in combat in Afghanistan.



The text of the First Lady's e-mail:

Good morning,

Every Thanksgiving, Barack sits down to call some of our troops and thank them for their service.

When he tells me about these conversations, it always reminds me of how blessed we are to live in a country where men and women will stand up to protect our freedoms and preserve our way of life. And whenever I've had the chance to meet with these heroes and their families, I've always walked away inspired by their courage and in awe of their strength.

I can't think of any better way to spend Thanksgiving than letting our servicemembers know how grateful we are for everything that they do. So this year, we're making it easy to do just that.

We've partnered with the USO to create a program called Thanks From Everywhere. To get involved, simply visit JoiningForces.gov/Thanks and write a quick note that troops and veterans all over the world will be able to see.

Add your message to Thanks From Everywhere.

Your note will be added to a map with messages from people all over the country, showing our troops and their families just how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.

If we all do our part, we'll help to build a wave of support to honor our veterans and their families -- and ensure they get the recognition they deserve this holiday season.

At a time when we are sitting down to share the blessings we've received this past year, please take a moment to be a part of this effort to thank America's heroes and their families.

Send a message to Thanks From Everywhere today:

http://www.JoiningForces.gov/Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving,

Michelle Obama
##

The Bidens Host Early Thanksgiving Dinner For Wounded Warriors

Vice President: Taking care of veterans is a "sacred obligation"...
Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden welcomed twelve Wounded Warriors to an early Thanksgiving dinner on Monday afternoon at their Washington, DC, residence. The guests--primarily Marines who served in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province--were joined by their parents or spouses at the Naval Observatory. They sat around two large tables in the dining room as they had a traditional feast: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and pumpkin pie. (Above: The Bidens welcome their guests)

Many of the service members were in wheelchairs and missing limbs, having been wounded in 2010 and 2011. They are still recovering, and in treatment and being outfitted with prostheses at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda. The Vice President welcomed the men and women by telling them that they are an "inspiration" to all Americans, and “part of the finest group of warriors that the world has ever seen.”

He promised that President Obama and all future presidents will be committed to making sure that they will have access to any medical breakthroughs that can improve their lives or help them heal.

“We have only one true sacred obligation and that is to provide for those of you we send into harm’s way, and give you every single solitary thing that you could possibly need to make the transition back home reasonable and workable," Biden said. "That is the only truly, truly sacred obligation we have.”

When he was done, the Vice President gave the microphone to his wife, who spoke of her own experiences as the mother of a deployed soldier. The Bidens' son, Captain Beau Biden, of the Delaware Army National Guard, is a veteran of the Iraq war. With First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Biden leads the Joining Forces initiative to support and honor military families. (Above: Dr. Biden speaking with Lance Cpl. Joshua Misiewicz)

“I know what it was like to look down our family table and see my son missing,” Dr. Biden said. “I know what you families have gone through when your loved ones are deployed and I know what it feels like…I know how other families are feeling this Thanksgiving.”

During dinner, the Vice President sat between Lance Cpl. Stephen Ayhens, who lost both his legs when he stepped on a buried bomb, and Lance Cpl. William Carpenter, who was injured by a hand grenade. Dr. Biden sat beside Lance Cpl. Joshua Misiewicz.

Shortly after the meal began, Misiewicz and his mother broke away to talk to reporters in a small living room on the first floor. Misiewicz played hockey while growing up in Chicago, and lost both of his legs above the knee when he stepped on a buried bomb on a foot patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan in July. He has already been outfitted for prostheses at Walter Reed. Just last Thanksgiving, he was working at Camp Pendleton, outside of San Diego, and getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan.

“This is so nice,” Misiewicz said of the dinner. “It shows a lot of people care.”

His mother, Nancy Misiewicz, also chimed in with thanks for the Bidens.

“Nothing compares to a home-cooked meal.”

This is the third year the Bidens have welcomed Wounded Warriors for Thanksgiving.

*Photos by the Office of the Vice President. *Updated

Michelle Obama At NASCAR Sprint Cup Finale: "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines"...

Homestead Speedway: First Lady, Dr. Biden serve as Grand Marshals, host barbecue for military families, announce new job commitments for vets & military spouses...
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will visit Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida today, serving as Grand Marshals for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale, the Ford 400. The race is the biggest prize in American motor sports, and Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden's appearance is part of the Joining Forces campaign to support and honor families.

Before the race, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden "will recognize service members and military families from the local community at a special BBQ lunch," the White House said. They will also invite a military family to join them as they lead lead the pre-race ceremony and speak what the White House bills as " the most famous words in racing"--“Gentlemen, start your engines.”

Carl Edwards of Missouri is the #1 ranked driver today. Edwards, 32, is the only NASCAR driver who is a member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and has worked with Mrs. Obama on the Let's Move! campaign.

The Miami visit will also "highlight new commitments by American companies to hire and train veterans and military spouses," the White House said. Representatives from companies committing to hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013 will volunteer at the barbecue, which will be at the Speedway’s Nationwide Garage.



Walmart, Mrs. Obama's largest private-sector partner for the Let's Move! campaign, has also partnered with the First Lady for Joining Forces. The company created the video, above, featuring racing stars encouraging Americans to support America's uniformed heroes. The video includes Edwards.

The hiring commitments, per the White House:
Representatives from the following companies who have pledged support for the hiring initiative will be at the barbecue: The Beacon Council, G4S Secure Solutions (USA), Ryder System, Inc., Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., Google, The National Military Family Association, The Boeing Company, Raytheon, Inventis Group Ltd. and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

"This employment commitment includes a first-of-its-kind dedicated local employment effort in South Florida led by the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s economic development leader, to hire veterans and military spouses," the White House said.

*The Beacon Council and their 274 companies will strive to hire 4,000 veterans by the end of 2013;

*G4S Secure Solutions (USA) whose workforce is 21% veterans already will hire 3,000 veterans by 2013;

*Ryder System, Inc. whose workforce is 10% veterans already expects to hire more than 550 veterans in 2011 and 1,000 additional veterans by the end of 2013; and

*BAE Systems, Inc. which already employs more than 3,000 veterans is committed to employing wounded warriors and veterans through their Warrior Integration services.

##