Michelle Obama Praised For Support Of Military Families

Just as President Obama's approval ratings have begun to turn around, the first lady is reportedly receiving some new support of her own -- among military veterans.

Alongside vice president Joe Biden's wife, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama has organized and attended more events for and with military veterans and their families than any previous first lady, according to veterans groups.

"Certainly other first ladies and presidents have taken an interest, but to make supporting military families [a priority], and not just to make it one of the things you do, this is a game-changer," Joyce Raezer, executive director of the National Military Family Association, told U.S. News & World Report.

In addition to the 50 events Obama is said to have participated in this year alone, she and Biden are also leading the charge to encourage businesses to hire veterans through an initiative called Joining Forces, which she announced earlier this year, encouraging the rest of the country to get in on the act. This year's White House Christmas tree was even dedicated to supporting veterans.

"There is this sense that this is genuine," Raezer said. "We haven't had this kind of visibility from the White House -- ever."

According to the Associated Press:

Mrs. Obama said she first got to know about the special challenges facing military families during the 2008 presidential campaign, as she met with military spouses while participating in roundtable discussions with women.

"I was so shocked by the fact that I didn't recognize those voices, that those stories were so new to me," she said. "I thought, I can't be alone, and these voices need to be lifted up."

Mrs. Obama said she decided then that it was appropriate to use the White House "megaphone" to lift the "cloak of invisibility" that too often leaves families struggling on their own.

And while much of the First Lady's military support has made headlines, it's the work she's done outside of the public eye that has in turn bolstered military families' support for her.

"Obama has raised the visibility of the challenges confronted by the families of military service members' frequent relocation, psychological impact of children often raised by single parents due to long deployments, higher incidents of alcohol and drug abuse, and the often difficult access to healthcare," says Sean O'Keefe, the former Navy secretary and NASA administrator, according to U.S. News & World Report.

PHOTOS:

Comments

[Teresa Pitts]

06:00 PM on 01/19/2012

I think Michelle Obama should join the army... so she can see how it really is over there.

[EdwardEJohnson]

09:46 AM on 07/10/2012

Are there any members of the republican party that you would like see join the military? How about the daughters of of George W. Bush? That would be shocking. How many republican chicken hawks do think has a immediate family member who served in anything more than the Boy Scout.

[gfparker]

03:08 PM on 07/12/2012

William Taft - Republican President - had a son who served in the U.S. Army during WWI: Charles Taft.

Dwight D. Eisenhower - Republican President - had a son who served in the U.S. Army during WWII and Korea: John Eisenhower.

Theodore Roosevelt - Republican President - had 3 sons who served:
Kermit Roosevelt - U.S. Army during WWI and WWII.
Archibald Roosevelt - U.S. Army during WWI and WWII.
Quentin Roosevelt - U.S. Army Air Service during WWI, killed in combat.

John McCain - Republican Senator and former Presidential candidate - has 3 sons who served or are currently serving:
James McCain - U.S. Marine Corps - served 2 tours in Iraq
Doug McCain - U.S. Navy - jet pilot
John Sidney McCain IV - U.S. Navy - currently serving.

There are many more Republican "chickenhawks" who have immediate family member who have served or are currently serving in this country's armed forces. Please do not insult them or the integrity their children bring to this nation.

[stuff7321]

09:36 PM on 01/02/2012

One of the phrases I remember hearing growing up was "If the military wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one." In other words, you're on your own. There were no support groups for wives. Sons became the men of the house far too early.

Military salaries aren't the best. Many times wives couldn't even get a message (before cell phones) to her husband that they were in trouble financially. She could try to get a loan - but he wasn't there to sign. Some things are better now. Civilians have no clue about, nor would they have to deal with most situations military families find themselves in.

That's what Mrs. Obama was talking about when she said she started hearing the stories of military wives during the '08 campaign. Having a front row seat to what it takes to successfully navigate the waters of military life, I think those women are OUTSTANDING individuals. My mother being one of them. She endured 24 years of military life only seeing her husband maybe half of those years. When I was growing up, he was gone 3 weeks out of 4. That was his regular assignment. When he was home, his bag was always packed and sitting next to the front door for the call that could come at any time to fly out again.

Mrs. Obama, I salute you for recognizing that real help is needed. Civilians just don't understand how bad it can get.

[sdanca4]

01:53 PM on 01/02/2012

The Bush administration spent 8 years appealing an Agent Orange cause and affect for Viet Nam veterans. The GOP and the Congress has NOT stepped forward on any programs to assist our 1 Million veterans coming home from a 10 year war. NOT a peep! Go figure. This is what makes me angry is that they sit in Congress for the past 3 years, obstructing and having these families struggle upon their return. Afterall, our soldiers didn't become Billionaires of the Wars...No-bid Contractors and well connected political groups did. Go figure.

[Ex-Fed]

11:35 AM on 01/01/2012

There were a great deal of events and actions taken by our country which I too was not happy with or proud of, segregation, intolerance, torture, racism, and I understood her point when she said for the first time she was proud of our country. Do you Foxbats actually agree with Hannity that we live in the bestest, greatest country that god ever gave to his people? (Something like that, I remember it was one of the stupidest things I ever heard) Our country has supported murderers, dictators and monsters for decades in the name of fighting evil communism, we infected minorities with VD in the name of science and never told them, our history is filled with lies, broken treaties and genocide...but you can find nothing in our country's history that was shameful? Go back to FAUX LAND and please be quiet.

[Wistfulslinking]

12:10 AM on 01/03/2012

You seem lost, perhaps you tripped on your soapbox?

This article is about the military and the First Lady.

[DTree]

11:29 AM on 01/01/2012

[Alongside vice president Joe Biden's wife, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama has organized and attended more events for and with military veterans and their families than any previous first lady, according to veterans groups.]

Michelle and Barack have done so much more than previous President's and First Ladies, on many fronts - but it's as if none of these contributions to our country are recognized by a certain group who simply "don't like" them as people.

I'm proud of the things these two have gotten done in 3 short years, and despite over-the-top obstruction and attacks. They have turned our massive ship of state in a new direction and opened the door to a better future, despite the worst recession and wars in a generation, and they should be commended for their hard work and dedication to making our country better.

[MA2AW]

11:23 AM on 01/01/2012

It's wierd when you are ordered to clap when she walks in. Yeah, I'm real honored! Next, she will have a yellow ribbon on the front door of the WH just long enough for the TVs to leave.

[Wistfulslinking]

12:11 AM on 01/03/2012

Ordered to clap is BAD.

[phillica2]

01:49 PM on 01/03/2012

Well I can tell by your comment that you just hate everything that the first lady does, so please make sure you are no where around her next time so you will not be ordered to clap for the FLOTUS.

[Tonydeeee]

10:45 AM on 01/01/2012

What real American wouldn't be proud of what she is doing ?

[TYRANT357]

11:15 PM on 12/31/2011

I call upon every PROUD AMERICAN to support President Obama in the November elections.

[highfivesix]

10:44 PM on 12/31/2011

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!!
Thank you first lady Michelle Obama,for wearing the crown of dignity! You have proven that it is indeed possible to have grace, poise,intellect and dignity without being escribed the label "athlete/entertainer. And since many of our troops (but not enough) are back on American soil, I'm sure that you would not let their contributions fade away like a distant memory.
Mr.Obama can count on me for my vote in 2012!

[hypyrwyf]

01:27 PM on 01/02/2012

I'm a big fan of Mrs. Obama and her works for the public good, but calling her queen isn't helping anybody. Other than that, I agree with you.

[HexonT3]

04:51 AM on 01/03/2012

I love your commentary. However I don't see her as queen as much as a true dignitary that personifies a grace and intelligence that is real, warm, and most importantly confident. And this confidence speaks volumes by itself to the many roles and good works she has done as First Lady. I am proud of her and I think most Americans should see that she has done of wonderful job representing the United States everywhere she has gone.

[Dianne Jarreau]

09:40 PM on 12/31/2011

@ tampamurray,Part 2 :
To me the fact that you can call the Obamas "manufactured" signfies you haven't a clue that they are not relevant as movie stars but had lives of political involvement before you ever heard of them. This was the Senator from Illinois, whomever you are with the mixed up values. They educated themselves in what they had to know politically to be of service to the people who needed that service most.. I can think of a lot of other reasons why you see things in the peculiar way that you do but that does not speak well of you having any integrity for your part.

[rworthy]

07:21 PM on 12/31/2011

It's time for you, Mrs. Obama, to enlarge our first family.

Put a "baby BLACK boy" in the white house.

My wish

[catlady777]

09:03 AM on 01/01/2012

Mrs. Obama looks like she is having a wonderful time handling her loving husband, 2-well adjusted growing girls, a mom, and extended family. Do not forget handling Bo. Mrs. Obama is the number one advisor to the President. Why does she need to disrupt that to have a baby? She is setting a wonderful example to women of having a balanced life.

[rworthy]

03:10 PM on 01/01/2012

We both have our opinions. Mine stands as presented. A baby is not an interruption of one's life, but (to me) only a blessing.

To whom will OPRAH leave her fortune? She should have taken the time out to have a blessing.

I agree w/you that the two first daughters are wonderful, but think about it. A Black son in the White House. Live on President and "your" first lady.

rworthy

[Pam James]

05:25 AM on 01/02/2012

OMG:(

[amd02148]

04:57 PM on 12/31/2011

Regardless of how people feel about President Obama, everyone loves the First Lady for her style, class and grace.

[lakeside laffer]

11:52 PM on 12/31/2011

I dont love her. Anyone who said she is not proud of her country should leave it. For the first time she is proud of vacations that are very expensive to real Americans. She is laughing her head off at the people.

[amd02148]

12:20 AM on 01/01/2012

Do you understand why she said she isn't proud of her country. Goodness knows I do understand.

[llsf]

02:09 AM on 01/01/2012

Typical bagger, devoid of facts, too much faux news, low intelligence, Michelle Obama never said that.

[JenAshley]

04:07 PM on 12/31/2011

Hate Mrs. Obama all you want, but you cannot hate her support of military families. Just by increasing their visibility and giving a national voice to their hardships and needs; Mrs. Obama is allowing people all across the nation to think twice about what they can do to help vets and military families. I know people that had never really thought about the problems vets and military families faced until Mrs. Obama's campaign came out - even though we have been at war for years.

[amd02148]

04:54 PM on 12/31/2011

I'm giving you yourfirst fan JenAshley, you are so right, we tend not to think of the military families who need our support as well.

[Teresa Pitts]

05:49 PM on 01/19/2012

Are you serious, she is putting on an act just to get the military support for her husband. She is hoping the military will vote for her husband, I can't believe you cant see through this. when push comes to shove the the only people the Obama's care about are them selves.

[jtmims2199]

01:45 PM on 07/10/2012

You really are the "Pitts"...

[Alhassana Malam Sambu]

04:04 PM on 12/31/2011

Ok, I hope you, I miss talking to my dear wife Malia my heart today!

[ATLJunBug]

04:28 PM on 12/31/2011

What?

STANDING BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IN 2012

[Alhassana Malam Sambu]

05:11 AM on 01/03/2012

Hello my dear sauade the knowledge and happiness with a long life is my greatest wishes for you and especially to my dear wife Mrs. Malia Ann Obama, who right now I'm a thousand miss her, and is the person I most want right now !
Love life mother of my children.

[ctrombley]

03:23 PM on 12/31/2011

Michelle Obama has the humanity and brains of Eleanor Roosevelt and the style and grace of Jacqueline Kennedy-it doesnt get any better...