As the nation celebrated Independence Day, First Lady Michelle Obama issued a statement urging Americans to support service members and their families.“The freedoms and rights that characterize our nation would not be possible without the brave men and women in uniform and the families that support them,” the first lady said in an introduction to her message.
Obama spoke about the challenges military families face every day, including children who do not see their parents for long periods of time and civilian spouses who “juggle the demands of work and family without their partners for long stretches of time.â€
“Family members serve as primary care givers for our wounded warriors, and too many families bear the heartbreaking reality of moving forward with their lives while keeping the memory of our fallen heroes alive,” Obama said. “Through it all, military families contribute countless hours to supporting other military families, being role models to our children, and making communities stronger.”
The first lady gave some pointers on how to support service members and their families, including staying informed on the activities and concerns of military families in the community and across the nation, and taking the time to getting to know and express appreciation to military families. She also mentioned the importance of helping military families share their stories and voice their concerns in the community.
“To all of our military families serving this Nation around the world, I offer my sincerest thank you. Your courage, service, and sacrifice are an inspiration to us all,” Obama concluded her statement.