First Lady Shows Her Love for the Troops - McChord Airman selected

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terrica Y. Jones
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  The first lady of the United States visited service members of Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar as part of her Joining Forces Initiative Nov. 3.

Mrs. Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched the Joining Forces Initiative, encouraging Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities.

"I connected with you and you made me want to be your shining light and be your voice and try to make sure everyone in the country knows what you do and how important it is, and that we have to rally and support you and your families as much as you support us!,"  Obama said.

The White House provided an ice cream social; however, Obama said she wanted to do more for the troops then to simply give them ice cream so she brought Conan O'Brien.

"So this is just my way of saying thank you, she said. We are very proud and we are very honored to be here and be able to bring some great entertainment to you guys," she said.

The first lady also met with some service members inside the Fox Sky Box. The selected service members were surprised at the chance to meet the first lady.

"Meeting the first lady was a once in a lifetime experience.  I felt so incredibly honored and humbled to be chosen to meet her," said Master Sgt. Daira Hall, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Staff Agencies' 1st Sgt.

"I feel very lucky to be selected and be able to do something like this, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I was really nervous. I've never met someone this important or iconic," said Airman 1st Class Jared Philpot, 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, deployed from the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wash.The first lady said that even after her first lady years are behind her, supporting the service members is something she will continue to do for the rest of her life.

"I think it is cool; I mean she has a lot of other things on her agenda, so for her to make a stop here and show her support means a lot," said Philpot.

"As the first African-American first lady, she is living history and a role model for young women. I appreciate and admire her gentleness, thoughtfulness and generosity with her time to speak to us, shake our hands, hug us and take pictures with us," said Hall.