The White House Blog: Dr. Jill Biden

On Board the USS RAMAGE: Dr. Jill Biden Visits with Sailors in Greece

Last week Dr. Biden traveled to Greece to lead the Presidential delegation to the Special Olympics World Summer Games. On her first day in Greece, she had the opportunity to join Navy Secretary Mabus for a visit with deployed sailors on board the USS RAMAGE off the coast of Athens.

While on board, Dr. Biden and Secretary Mabus visited with all 300 sailors on the flight deck.  Following a reenlistment ceremony for 4 sailors on board who have committed to another tour in the Navy, they met sailors from all over the country – including those from their home states of Delaware and Mississippi.  They shook hands and took photos until the very last Sailor departed the flight deck.

(Photo by MC1 Kevin O’Brien)

After leaving the flight deck, Dr. Biden and the Secretary had lunch with Sailors on the mess deck. They talked with several of them about their families back home, including a sailor who became a new dad just days before the visit. It can be a struggle to miss out on those special family moments while deployed. But the Sailors never complained.  

RAMAGE sailors are unique. They have deployed multiple times in the past 5 years, and they have endured long and frequent separations from their families. But they are resilient, and they are proud of what they do. Each and every one of them has the same dedication to our country as those that we have had the honor of visiting at military bases across the country and throughout the world. 

Joining Forces with the Illinois National Guard

Last week, I visited with Illinois National Guard families and encouraged members of the cable industry to Join Forces with the First Lady and me in supporting military families and veterans across the country.
 
On Wednesday evening, I joined National Guard families for dinner at a Chicago pizzeria. As the mother of a Delaware Army National Guardsman, I always feel like I am with family when I’m with members of the Guard and their loved ones. All the dinner guests were family members of deployed Guardsmen, or soldiers who have deployed multiple times. After dinner, we went to a Chicago Cubs game together.  I am always inspired when I visit with military families, and last week was no exception. Their pride in their service is contagious, and their courage is awe-inspiring.

(Photo by Spc. Chasity Johnson, Illinois National Guard, Public Affairs Office)

The next morning, I addressed industry leaders and representatives from the cable and telecommunications industries at the 2011 Cable Show.  The cable industry is uniquely positioned to support military families.  Some members of the industry are telling the stories of military families through PSAs and television programming.  Others are extending access to technology so military families can communicate with loved ones during deployments, or helping teachers of military children share content to boost student achievement.  So many businesses and organizations are stepping up.

“Thank You”: Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden to Our Service Members in Naples, Italy

Yesterday, my husband and I were honored to visit with some of our service members and their families at the Navy’s Capodichino base in Naples, Italy. I was proud to be there as Second Lady of the United States, but I was even more proud to be there as a military mom.

We were there for a simple reason, and that was to say thank you.

Dr. Jill Biden poses for a photo while greeting sailors and other branch service members at the Naval Support Activity Naples, in Naples, Italy June 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

On a daily basis, each of these men and women show us what words like service, strength, and sacrifice really mean. Our military families serving in the United States and around the world are truly inspiring, and they need to know that everyone at home appreciates all that they do for our nation.

The First Lady and I are working hard through our Joining Forces initiative to make sure that every American understands the sacrifices that our service members and their families are making for the security of this nation. And we’re encouraging all Americans to find ways to give back in any way they can.

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden speak to and greet sailors and other branch service members at the Naval Support Activity, in Naples, Italy June 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Military Families, Victims of Tornados, Receive Donated Computers From Operation Homelink

Cross-posted from the OurMilitary.mil blog. This originally appeared in Paraglide, the Ft. Bragg base newspaper.

Six paratroopers whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the April 16 tornados that struck south of post recently received donated computers to help get their lives back online.

Given mostly to lower­enlisted Soldiers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Di­vision, the refurbished, high-quality, business-class notebooks came from Op­eration Homelink, a non­profit outfit that tradition­ally provides computers to the Families of deploying Soldiers to keep in touch through e-mail, chat and web cams.

Spc. Patrick Briody, a medic with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, describes how he freed his neighbors from underneath the wreckage of their house after it was thrown by a tornado against his rented Fayetteville home April 16, 2011. (Photo by Operation Homelink)