Obama Says Service Is A National Duty, Volunteers With Family At Fort McNair

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama urged all Americans Thursday to find a way to serve their country this summer.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama did their part at Fort McNair, helping volunteers load 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy snacks and toys for children of the men and women of the armed forces.

"Serving our country is not just something that we should expect our members of our armed forces to do," Obama said, "That's something that we should expect all of us as citizens to do."

The Obamas were joined by their daughters, Malia and Sasha, members of Congress and their families, and volunteers from nonprofit organizations.

Promoting volunteerism and community service has been a priority for the Obamas. The president often credits his work as a community organizer in his early 20s for giving him direction in life.

This week, Obama kicked off the "United We Serve" program, a service initiative led by the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service. The effort is aimed at getting people to tackle problems in the areas of education, health, energy and the environment and community renewal.

Obama said community service is one way Americans can "make this country stronger."

The initiative will continue through Sept. 11, which recently was designated by Congress as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Earlier this year, the president signed a $5.7 billion national service bill that triples the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years. It also expands ways for students to earn money for college by helping those in their neighborhoods.

People can find local needs and volunteer opportunities online at . Organizations can also post service events on the Web site. http://www.serve.gov

Comments

[KLordsha]

No pictures???

[ElsaIndy]

It is not clear how Obama's volunteerism differs from Bush Sr.'s Points of Light volunteerism. This country is a nation of volunteers. Most of our civil organizations are funded through contributions and manned by volunteers. Volunteerism is nothing new in this country and a fact of life for most Americans.

You are right. I am not an Obama Obsessed Fan.

I voted twice for Obama and made financial contribution to his campaign. He was simply my choice in the last election.

So far Obama has given us a timid economic policy and an incoherent healthcare policy and a lot of talk about volunteerism that is increasingly tiresome. And yes, I am waiting for some leadership and not just platitudes from him.

[nycwerewolf]

I am so proud of our First Family.

[KofTX]

Great job, First Family!

[arcanepsyche]

"Serving our country is not just something that we should expect our members of our armed forces to do," Obama said, "That's something that we should expect all of us as citizens to do."

I'm sorry but I did NOT put those men and women into harms way. Our government did that very well on its own. Also, those volunteers are just that, VOLUNTEERS. The WANT to do this crap. I don't and neither do millions of Americans. I know he's not forcing anyone to do anything, but I squarely believe that we SHOULD expect our armed forces to volunteer, even if the rest of us don't.

Go ahead, tear me apart.

[Weirdwriter]

Not sure what you're protesting about.

[fcsakes]

What part of that doesn't make sense? Oh, I know. The whole thing.

[azona18]

So let me get this straight, because I think this is what you're protesting through your nonsensical comment:

You want the Armed Services to volunteer.
For what, exactly? They already volunteered to serve and protect the entire nation. Would you like them to, in their copious amounts of spare time, do extra community service instead of all you people who don't support the troops and the country?

Or do you think that people shouldn't be made to volunteer? In which case, the "United We Serve" program isn't exactly mandatory, but anyone who deliberately refuses to take part because it involves doing "crap", is surely going to end up looking like an ass.

[globalcitizenlinda]

The measure of a man for me is what he did when no cameras were watching. So to me Presient Obama and Michelle Obama have be volunteers from when they were young and long before any one in public knew their names.

Michelle and Barack served when they were young and they continue to do so when they are in power - geniune empathy for me

[peacegurl48]

How refreshing to hear Obama's message when the Right is bust ridiculing any form of empathy. Empathy is what makes us human. I'm proud of our President.

[Debbie1996]

Look at Obama using those kids as political accessories - I'm disgusted! Ooops we just do that with Palin right?

[KofTX]

It's called good parenting when you teach your children by example. And Sarah Palin isn't the President of the United States (thank God). The First Family will always be in the spotlight.

[AngieMom57]

Dear President Obama,

Are your banker buddies doing their fair share of service this weekend?

Didn't think so, it's the poor that do most of the "lending a hand" and philanthropic work. We give more of our time & money (a greater percentage), we are the kinder & gentler portion of the population. The smug, greedy, well-fed elite can't even wipe down the pot they pi$$ in.

Just feeling a bit bitter today about the have's and the have 'not's' .

Respectfully,

AngieMom57

[Weirdwriter]

If Obama has any buddies among the bankers they haven't given him much in return.

[obama4america]

Da/mn you Obama and your band of marauding do-gooders! (This is sarcasm, for those who can't tell)

[ElsaIndy]

George Bush Sr pushed "points of lights" volunteerism as well. Right now people need jobs. Not lectures. I am not sure being a point of light will compensate for a economy that has not produced new jobs in the private sector for 10 years. Perhapes if our elected officials were honest they might say that unless healthcare costs are controlled, new jobs will not be created in the private sector at all. Perhapes Obama needs to focus more on the economy and less on lecturing the American public. And this if from an Obama supporter who also volunteers.

[Samalabear]

I totally agree with you. Plus, this is nothing new. I can't remember a President in my time that didn't promote some type of do-good program.

[julia23]

I can't remember ever seeing the Bushe's fill back packs for soldiers. Or Laura dishing out food for the homeless (which Michelle has done TWICE).

[obama4america]

And stop lying about being an Obama supporter no one is buying your BS.

[obama4america]

What a bunch of baloney. He's not lecturing anyone you mo ron. He's making an appeal to people to serve. And it's never a bad idea to give back to your community; as a matter of fact, it's even more important in times of economic peril. And if you're an Obama supporter, I'm the Pope.

[fcsakes]

Lectures? Jobs? You're saying if President Obama wasn't asking people to help out their country and neighbors by volunteering, he'd be able to magically produce jobs and lower health care costs? You think that was a lecture?

Excuse me, I'm not nearly as polite as some of the people in here. You're an idiot.

[grata2ude]

Seriously, you so called Obama supporters that expect him to have solved the economic disaster, ended the two wars, given Gays all the rights, fix health care and save us from global warming in five months make me sicker than the Republicans.

Get over the McDonald mentality. Everything can't be changed in a McMinute.