News

My mother taught me to write thank you notes. My kids always write thank you notes. Today, The First Lady wrote a thank you note ... you simply must read it! 

A Nationwide Call to Action: First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will launch a national initiative to support and honor America’s service members and their families on Tuesday, April 12^th at the White House. 

My dad just got back from one year at war in Afghanistan.  I know that for someone who's not part of a military family this might sound unimaginable, but for me it's part of my life.  Since I'm only 12, this war and the things that come with it are the only thing I've ever known.

This week, I was privileged to travel to Los Angeles to be a guest of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I wouldn’t realize the gravity of this opportunity until later when I would be onstage with three of the women I love the most. A diva could get spoiled: Charles and I were picked up at the airport in a limo and taken to the Sheraton Hotel in Universal City.

On Thursday, October 28,2010, at 3pm EST, Blue Star Families Development Director, Pamela Stokes Eggleston, will be appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.  Join us for a live blog of the event!

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama announced the launch of a new Presidential directive to develop a government-wide approach to supporting and engaging military families.

"We are honored that our members concerns and viewpoints have been taken into consideration by the White House in working with them to develop this plan," said Blue Star Families Chairman, Kathy Roth-Doquet.  "The voices of Blue Star Families members are being heard – via our Military Family Survey and briefings we’ve done, and we can see the contributions of our members in the announcement Mrs. Obama just made."

Yesterday, during remarks at Bolling Air Force Base, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that President Obama's 2011 budget will increase funding for military families by more than 3%, bringing funding for military family support programs to $8.8 billion.  The additional funding follows increased attention to the unique challenges now facing military families.

The scene was familiar, but not our place in it.  Last night, our military family had the honor of lighting the Hanukkah menorah at the White House, reciting the blessings over the candles, and meeting President Obama, Mrs. Obama, and Vice President Biden.

On Wednesday, Blue Star Families joined with Service Nation to celebrate Veterans Day, write letters for BSF's Operation Appreciation, and pack hundreds of thank you care packages for the families of deployed service members.

Blue Star Families is thrilled to be part of Service Nation's Veteran's Day event.

Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will join ServiceNation on Veterans Day to launch Mission Servce: Forging a Continuum of Service.  Blue Star Families, Student Veterans of America and military and civilian leaders will celebrate service organizations and the strength they add to our nation.