State Dining Room

11:36 A.M. EST
 
THE FIRST LADY:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Please.  Thanks.  Please sit.

Sheila, thank you.

You know, I met — first met Sheila when she was a senior military spouse when General Casey was the chief of staff of the Army.  And I always learned so much and drew comfort and strength from you, Sheila. 

Our Joining Forces executive director, Rory Brosius, had — has been — or had been a part of this initiative from the early days, and she led us forward from 2021 to 2023 with grace and compassion and determination.  (Applause.)

So, when it came time for a new executive director, I knew exactly who to call.  (Laughter.)  Because for any Joining Forces issue, we — we’d always call Sheila and ask for her thoughts and her guidance. 

So, I invited Sheila for tea, without telling her what I had in mind — (laughter) — and she walked out as our new executive director.  (Laughter and applause.)

Sheila, when I asked you to — to come lead Joining Forces, you didn’t hesitate.  As you said, it was, like, four seconds.  Like, “Yes, I’ll do it.”  (Laughter.)  And everyone in this room is so grateful for your leadership and your kindness and your friendship. 

Thank you.  I love you.  (Applause.)
 
So, to everybody else, welcome to the White House!  (Laughter.)  And I think this may be the last time I get to say that from this stage. 
 
So, this is the final event I will host here as first lady.  And I knew I wanted to celebrate you –the advocates, business leaders, senior spouses, and so many military families who have been with Joining Forces. 
 
It’s because of you that we’ve made so much progress on employment and entrepreneurship, on military child education, on health and well-being for the whole family. 
 
 Just 1 percent of our nation serves in uniform so that the other 99 percent may live in freedom.  We owe it to them to make sure that they, and their families, have the support that they need. 
So, in 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and I launched Joining Forces.  And we made a commitment that we wouldn’t tell the military families what they needed.  We would ask them about the challenges they faced and do everything that we could to lighten the load of all that they carried. 

And after the Obama-Biden administration, I knew that I had to continue this work.  And one of the first things I did when Joe was sworn in as president was establish Joining Forces back in the White House — (applause) — with an executive director serving as a commissioned officer, a senior member of the White House team.

It was important that everyone understand that this work was critical to the Biden-Harris administration. 

We saw a new opportunity to write a new chapter for this initiative.  And along with so many of you in this room, we were determined to put an end to those excuses we’d often hear when trying to break down barriers for this community — things like, “Oh, it’s too complicated” or “We don’t know how.”

We came together to say military families deserve as much commitment from us as they give to us.  (Applause.)

Like the spouses who work for the federal government, you told me how hard it was for you to keep those jobs when you moved. 

And in 2023, Joe signed the most far-reaching executive order ever on federal employment for military and veteran spouses to expand opportunities to help you further the careers you have all worked so hard to build.  And believe me, I understood that.

And over the years, I’ve met with so many children of military families.  You know, they might not wear a uniform, but they serve too. 

So, I’ve brought military kids to the White House for, I think, every holiday celebration, displaying their art on the public tour so that everyone could learn about their experiences, and increased support for military caregiving children, which was so important.  (Applause.)  

Parents, you explained how tough it is to piece together childcare that’s affordable, especially as you move from base to base.  And that’s why the Biden administration lowered the cost of childcare for military families and expanded parental leave for service members.  (Applause.)

And this past fall, we also brought universal pre-K to military bases around the world. (Applause.) 

And the moms and dads of military kids with disabilities, you told me how your kids move to new schools, but their individualized education programs don’t move as easily.  So, I understood that, as a teacher.

The federal government and the nonprofit and private sectors are working to pilot seamless and secure data transfers of those specialized service.  (Applause.)  That way — that way, military kids and all students who move frequently will be closer to getting the services they need on the first day at a new school.

The military community is the one that the Bidens are humbled and proud to serve, to call our own. 

You know, at just 17 years old, my father decided that he wanted to fight in World War II.  And back then — and I guess it’s the same today — he was too young to e- — enlist at 17, so he had to get my grandmom’s permission to join.  (Laughter.) 

So, she signed the papers.  And my father served as a Naval — Navy signalman in the Pacific.  And his service shaped his life, and mine as well. 

And I’m proud that Joining Forces is part of what has defined my time at the White House.  

It’s been the honor of my life to serve as first lady and to support the military community that defends our nation and keeps it strong. 

For every new recruit who takes the oath to protect and defend the Constitution…

For every parent who knows the swell of fear and pride seeing their son or daughter in uniform, like I have…

For every military child who saves up all their stories to share during those few precious phone calls with a parent serving overseas, you all know this…

We must make sure that America lives up to their devotion and the sacrifices that they make — the sacrifices that all of you make every day. 

With all of my heart, thank you for your service.

May God bless your families.

I love you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

END                 11:45 A.M. EST

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