First lady, TV show bring attention to veterans

[white cloud]

LOS ANGELES — Michelle Obama found an unusual ally — reality TV — in her effort to bring attention to the needs of military families.

The first lady, appearing Sunday on the two-part season premiere of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7-9 p.m. EDT) says the program was the right platform for the cause.

“We live in a media age, and one of the things we still share is our love of television” and the stories it can tell so effectively, Obama said. “We thought this was an extraordinary venue to highlight the struggles and challenges and triumphs of a special family.”

Barbara Marshall of Fayetteville, N.C., who served in the Navy for 15 years, was dismayed by the number of homeless female veterans and established Steps-N-Stages Jubilee House to provide shelter, counseling and other aid. When the house grew cramped and inadequate, “Extreme Makeover” and the first lady stepped in.

She joined with series host Ty Pennington, a local builder and community volunteers on the Jubilee House project and was on hand at the unveiling to surprise Marshall.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/ap-first-lady-tv-show-bring-attention-to-veterans-092411/

[juajen]

1. I'm sorry I missed this. She has become my favorite Obama. Don't stone me please.

[WhiteTara]

3. I love Michelle Obama. What a role model for so many. n/t

[MADem]

4. Well, I don't think you missed it--it's tonight, near as I can tell from the article. NT

[glowing]

5. Season premier is tonight. You can still watch the show along with everyone else.

[pinboy3niner]

2. What a great First Lady!

More power to her. :patriot:

I also caught part of a CNN news segment this morning with actor Gary Sinise talking about 101st Airborne Division casualties during a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. The numbers were comparable to losing 30,000 of the U.S. population.

He was making a point about the devastating impact on the community of soldiers and families at Ft. Campbell, the home of the 101st.