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Strengthening Our Commitment to Military Families

Summary: 
Dr. Jill Biden discusses how the President and his Administration are supporting America's military families.

[[nid:25485]]I wanted to spread the word about a very important event that the President, the First Lady and I hosted today at the White House in case you missed it. We gathered together with members of the Cabinet, military service members and their families to highlight the efforts of the federal government to support our nation’s military families.

I was so pleased to have several of my own special guests join us today – people who represent the strength and courage that I have seen in so many military families around the country.

People like Jessica Sanders who I met two weeks ago at a Deployment Ceremony for members of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 126th Aviation Regiment. Jessica’s fiancé, Captain Mark Thomas, will deploy in the coming weeks to Afghanistan where he and his unit will provide medical evacuations for troops, allies and Afghan civilians.  

And people like Sandra Norris, the wife of Colonel John Norris who I met when I traveled to Iraq last summer.  Sandra has volunteered thousands of hours of her time and expertise over the past 20 years – leading Family Readiness Groups and supporting other Army families as an advisor and friend – all while raising two sons and coping with John’s 42 months in combat.

President Obama Speaks on Support for Military Families

President Barack Obama looks over at First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as he delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House unveiling efforts to better coordinate and strengthen the Federal government’s support for military families, Monday, January 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today was an important next step in this Administration’s commitment to support our service members and their families, and our agencies have committed to specific actions that will keep improving their quality of life. As a teacher, I am particularly pleased that the Department of Education is supporting the military children in public schools throughout the country.  I’m also heartened by the efforts to respond to the challenges facing our Guard and Reserve families.

As long as I have the privilege and honor of serving in my role of Second Lady, I will do whatever I can to support those who protect us.  As the parents of an Army National Guardsman who was deployed for a year to Iraq, I’m particularly proud to be a part of an Administration that is making our military families a true priority. They deserve nothing less.  

Please consider reaching out in your own community to offer thanks or support by finding options at www.serve.gov

Thanks,
Jill