Michelle Obama and Jill Biden Launch PSA
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies Reports:First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are calling on all Americans to volunteer in support of military families on this first annual National Day of Service.
The two women appear in a public service announcement and address the camera head on. With still images of troops interspersed, Michelle Obama says, “”Every day our brave troops and our families stand up for us…”Now we have a chance to serve these heroes….To ease the burden on a military family.”
“For years we’ve asked so much of so few,” Dr. Jill Biden says, “Let’s honor their service, by volunteering ours.”
Mrs. Obama has long said supporting military families would be part of her platform as first lady. Mrs. Biden’s son Beau is a member the Delaware Army National Guard, currently serving in Iraq. In a separate interview released by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which produced the PSA, Mrs. Biden explains that she comes to the issue from a very personal place.
“We are a military family, and so I think I understand what it is for military families to have someone serving overseas. And we need to take care of the families so that the soldiers can do the job they’re supposed to do. And not have their minds elsewhere,” Dr. Biden said, “Conversely, we need to take care of the soldiers. People have to reach out to other people in their neighborhoods, through their churches, through their schools to find out who the military families are and then make that extra little effort. I think it’s really important that America appreciates what our soldiers are doing for them.”
The PSA is part of a series in the new “I Participate” campaign.
Obama: 'Now Is the Time For Common Sense Action' 
Romney Takes Aim at Conservatives
On the anniversary of 9/11, Americans are aked to pause, reflect and ask themselves, “How can I serve Our President?”
Posted by: mesquito | September 11, 2009, 6:43 am 6:43 am
Ya know mesquito, lots of people are getting extremely tired of idiots like you. What serves for a brain in your head has to even be smaller then a mosquito’s brain.
Posted by: Clint | September 11, 2009, 7:41 am 7:41 am
This doesn’t go over well with me at all. 9/11 is what happened on 9/11/01, period. I believe this administration, the obamas, and the nuts like van jones/rev wright/sheen all agree that 9/11 was a conspiracy and want to erase it from our minds. This new day of service on 9/11 is an attempt to do that. We do not want to talk about anything else other than WHAT HAPPENED ON 9/11/01 – WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FELLOW AMERICANS ON 9/11/01? WE WILL REMEMBER THEM TODAY AND THAT IS THE ONLY THING WE WILL DO TODAY.
Posted by: Jenny | September 11, 2009, 7:48 am 7:48 am
Jenny, I agree. It’s a shame that the Bush Administration didn’t pay attention to what was really going on.
ABC: whistleblower
FBI Informant Says Agents Missed Chance to Stop 9/11 Ringleader Mohammed Atta
Posted by: Trent | September 11, 2009, 8:00 am 8:00 am
Yeah, Trent, it really is a shame that Bill Clinton didn’t nab bin laden when he had the opportunity during his administration.
Posted by: Jenny | September 11, 2009, 8:10 am 8:10 am
Jenny wrote:”bin laden when he had the opportunity during his administration”.
The Republican Congress wouldn’t let him
Posted by: Trent | September 11, 2009, 8:17 am 8:17 am
“Ya know mesquito, lots of people are getting extremely tired of idiots like you.”
I’m not tired of him. Dissent is VERY American. Get used to a lot of it, “Clint.”
Posted by: Chuck | September 11, 2009, 8:20 am 8:20 am
I’m flying my flag and donating to Joe Wilson’s campaign. He was rude but correct.
Americans still have a choice as to how they remember 9/11.
I will say a prayer for the NYC firefighters, paramedics and police officers who sacrificed their lives that day to fight fires they couldn’t extinguish and to save lives they couldn’t save.
Very few of us could be that brave.
Posted by: Peppah | September 11, 2009, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Trent, you are wrong:
From the 9/11 Commission Report notes:
“President Clinton, in a February 2002 speech to the Long Island Association, said that the United States did not accept the Sudanese offer and take Bin Ladin because there was no indictment… But the president told [the Commission] that he had ‘misspoken’ and was, wrongly, recounting a number of press stories he had read. After reviewing this matter in preparation for his Commission meeting, President Clinton told us that Sudan never offered to turn Bin Ladin over to the United States. . . .” (The 9/11 Commission Report, authorized edition, 480).
Posted by: Enlightenment | September 11, 2009, 9:51 am 9:51 am
9/11 hijaaked again by The Apologist-in-Chief. Remember, you have the choice of how you want to spend today. Personally, I agree completely with Jenny. This is about 9-11-2001, not 9-11-2009.
I would also like to ask The First Lady when she will be announcing the “cause” she plans to work for during this administration. Will she choose one? All other First Ladies have. It has been 10 months since her husband won the election.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 10:51 am 10:51 am
Are my pants actually on fire? | Sep 11, 2009 10:51:24 ——- What part of helping military families, childhood nutrition and education are not a cause to you? As I posted earlier, but was removed for, oh gee, I don’t know. I think it’s very fitting to volunteer and do something for the families facing the possible loss of a loved one who is defending our country, how can you find fault with that?
Posted by: Try the truth | September 11, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Try the truth | Sep 11, 2009 11:01:38 AM
First Ladies choose a particular aspect of the country’s social problems and support it for four years. Like reading, say no to drugs, etc. This is what I am talking about. I’m sorry but running a PSA for a day does not qualify.
We have the opportunity to volunteer every day of the year and many do without being “called to service” by the President or anyone else. To do it on 9/11 is disengenuous at best and calculated to take the heat off what happened on 9/11 at worst.
Choose to serve today? Fine. Do what you wish. I choose to remember.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
It is a great idea to do something positive in remembrance of those we lost on 9/11.
We can’t change the past but we can make the future brighter for our military families who sacrifice for all of us on a daily basis.
Peppah, Wilson was rude and incorrect. He obviously didn’t read the bill or can’t read accurately.
Are my pants actually on fire?, The First Lady has announced numerous times, for months that helping military families would be a part of her platform as first lady. Its says so right in the above article!
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
And where was Michelle’s support of the troops before her husband ran for President? Anyone have any documented stories of her doing anything? Anything at all? Now all of a sudden she wants to support them? Please.
She could have easily found an organization to support, like the one Gary Sinese has been running all these years.
Maybe ACORN and SEIU didn’t have anything going to support the troops, their families or the people of Iraq/Afghanistan at the time. They were probably too busy advising pimps and prostitutes how to avoid paying taxes and claim underage Salvadoran girls brought here illegally to be sex slaves as dependents.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
From USA today:
“The idea of establishing 9/11 as a National Day of Service was first conceived in 2001 by the founders of MyGoodDeed, a nonprofit started by friends and relatives of 9/11 victims. They are working with ServiceNation, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the Corporation for National and Community Service.”
Posted by: Danny | September 11, 2009, 11:30 am 11:30 am
Posted by: Lydia | Sep 11, 2009 11:22:42 AM
“It is a great idea to do something positive in remembrance of those we lost on 9/11.”
– As I said, your choice. Leave it up to the individual. Don’t make a “federal case” out of it. I don’t need the govt telling me how to remember 9/11. Get it yet?
“We can’t change the past but we can make the future brighter for our military families who sacrifice for all of us on a daily basis.”
– So do it on a daily basis. You’ve got 365 days to pick one or more days. Get it yet?
“Peppah, Wilson was rude and incorrect. He obviously didn’t read the bill or can’t read accurately.”
– What bill? We haven’t seen what they’ve been doing to it for the past 6 weeks. But I’m sure they will post it 10 minutes before they have to vote. There are discrepencies in the wording which leaves the issue of coverage for illegal immigrants ambiguous. And they were part of the 47 million which miraculously changed to 30 million the other night.
“Are my pants actually on fire?, The First Lady has announced numerous times, for months that helping military families would be a part of her platform as first lady. Its says so right in the above article!”
– Yea, I read that. Very specific stuff. It’s part of my platform too. Get real.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Posted by: Danny | Sep 11, 2009 11:30:09 AM
I don’t need them telling me either.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am
I have to add that I think helping military families is something we all should make an effort, no matter how small, to do. Those on multiple tours of duty face such emotional and financial stress. The families share these burdens, as well as worrying about their loved ones.
I visited the website mentioned in the video, welcomebackveterans.org and it was very informative. There was so many ways to help, from writing a thank-you letter, to donating money, to giving a ride to vet for a doctor appointment, etc. Whether you have a little time or a lot, a little money or a lot, there is a way you can help military families.
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2009, 11:35 am 11:35 am
“After a seven year effort lead by MyGoodDeed, on April 21, 2009 President Barack Obama signed federal legislation that for the first time officially recognizes September 11 as a federally observed National Day of Service and Remembrance.”
I have no problem with them promoting whatever they wish. That’s freedom of choice. When it became a federally observed NDS&R, we have lost the choice. At that point, my taxes go to support it whether I agree with it or not.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 11:46 am 11:46 am
there is a way you can help military families.
Posted by: Lydia | Sep 11, 2009 11:35:51 AM
All of which are available 365 days of the year.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
Are my pants actually on fire?, No one is telling you to volunteer to help military families, they have just made it a lot easier with the website for those who want to, to find ways to do so. The average person wouldn’t know where to start.
A lot of folks have good intentions, but busy lives. This website makes it much simpler to help military families.
If you’ve ever gone through a rough patch, whether it was a serious illness of a loved one or financial problems, etc. you would understand what a difference it makes to feel that others care and want to help you. For those who have a family member serving a tour or their second or third, to those who have been injured, some permanently, there is a lot of need.
Going public with this is the only way for people to find out about it.
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Are my pants actually on fire?, my gosh, you don’t seem to get it.
They aren’t suggesting you only help out today. They are simply getting the word out that this website can channel your desire to help military families, into actually doing something. It is a way to take your sadness over a tragedy and do something good in remembrance for those we lost. This is a good day to make concrete plans to help out.
My goodness, making it a national day is simply a way to keep it on people’s minds. We are all busy and sometimes it takes a reminder to honor what is important. On Veteran’s Day in the past our family has frequently gone to a local ceremony to honor those who have served. But I never knew what I could do to actually help a veteran. Now I have many choices on the new website to volunteer my time.
People are simply trying to encourage others to help military families. Why the negativity?
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Most of you posters will take anything positive that the Obamas attempt to do with their time in the White House, and twist it into a negative with your poisonous little minds. Fortunately, most of see them for what they are; a young and idealistic president and his wife, who are a breath of fresh air and energy. If they can inspire one more person to get involved in a small way, it will only be good.
Posted by: Phoenix lady | September 11, 2009, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
Posted by: Lydia | Sep 11, 2009 11:58:23 AM
You misunderstand me. The site is fine. Helping families and soldiers is fine. I take issue with the idea that it is a great thing to do today. It is a great thing to do EVERY day.
Making it a national day takes the freedom of choice out of our hands and puts it into the hands of the govt. I can refuse to observe it but my taxes still have to go to it whether I like it or not. My freedom of choice is gone. The freedoms our military fights for every day.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
“It is a great thing to do EVERY day.”
Correct. This day should remain sacred; to remember those who lost their lives trying to save others and to remember those who lost their lives simply for being on airplanes and in the Pentagon and World Trade Center buildings in America.
That is more than enough; to observe and remember this day. The day the buildings fell from the NY skyline and airplanes fell from the sky.
The military and their families should be helped and honored by our actions everyday.
THIS day is about 9-11-01.
Posted by: Tara | September 11, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
Posted by: Phoenix lady | Sep 11, 2009 12:09:52 PM
Well, that’s very nice, but it’s about freedom of choice – not the Obama’s.
However, I do think that for someone who was never proud of her country until her husband ran for the presidency, it seems odd to hear you say they are “young and idealistic” and “a breath of fresh air and energy.”
And we won’t even get into their ideology.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Are my pants actually on fire?, your antagonism still has me confused. You said, ‘Making it a national day takes the freedom of choice out of our hands and puts it into the hands of the govt.’
Do you object to Veteran’s Day, or any president’s day or the Fourth of July? All of these national holidays simply honor something or someone who is very important to our country. It is still your choice whether to help or not, just as it is your choice whether to go to Fourth of July parade or not.
As for your objection to today being a National Day of Service and Remembrance, you should realize that Congress voted on this, so it was a bi-partisan decision decided on by our elected officials, it wasn’t just our president making the decision.
Our country can only be stronger if more people recognize the sacrifice our military, police, firemen and other emergency workers and their families make every day for our safety. And there is no better way of showing that appreciation than volunteering when you can.
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Gotta go take a disabled person food shopping.
As for anyone saying designating this day as a National Day of Service and Remembrance somehow distracts from the tragedy of 9/11, that is far from reality. Those brave citizens, firemen, police and other official personnel died because they wanted to help their fellow citizen. There is no better way to honor their spirit of selflessness than getting involved and volunteering. I recommend watching the video, checking out the website and seeing what little bit you can do to show you care about our military families who are under such terrible strain. It isn’t about helping just today, but understanding we all can do something, no matter how small, to honor the fallen and those sacrificing today.
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
“And there is no better way of showing that appreciation than volunteering when you can.”
I agree. Volunteer “when you can” but leave 9/11 for remembering those who were lost on this day, their families and everyone who was touched by this national tragedy.
Posted by: Jorgensen | September 11, 2009, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
Do you object to Veteran’s Day, or any president’s day or the Fourth of July?
Posted by: Lydia | Sep 11, 2009 1:04:03 PM
July 4th celebrates our independence as a NATION.
Veteran’s Day honors all those who served to protect our NATION’S freedoms.
IMO, 9/11 should be left as a day of rememberance as is Oklahoma City, the Holocaust and other tragedies here and abroad. To attach anything else to is wrong.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
BTW: I was writing to soldiers and sending them packages when the war in Iraq first started. Was Michelle? Somehow I doubt it.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm