Less than a month after we launched the website for the National Museum of the American Military Family, Mrs. Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden appeared on THE VIEW to tell the nation about “Joining Forces,” their initiative to call for national support to military families. The establishment of Joining Forces had been announced in the national press a day or two earlier when the President named G
eneral McChrystal (Ret) and the wife of retired General Erik Shinsecki as the chairs of Joining Forces. On THE VIEW (Monday, April 18, 2011), the First Lady reminded viewers that most Americans have no direct contact with a military family, and she hoped through Joining Forces the general public would become aware of the special challenges and needs of military families. Dr. Biden said that most military families blend into a community and never let it be known that they have unique concerns – “you may not even notice them,” she said. Both ladies said military families almost never ask for anything and urged viewers to take the initiative in finding them. Obama added that the end of the wars will not end the need to support military members and their families. In 2021 Dr. Biden, now the First Lady, resolves to continue her work with Joining Forces, and the Museum, entering its 10th year, continues to present the family side of military history through exhibits, programs, publications, podcasts and blogs. As military family members, we bridge both the military and civilian cultures of wherever we happen to be. We identify as "sponsors" and "spouses" and as "dependents" and "brats". We pack up and move at the drop of a hat, we assimilate US and Host Nation cultures and customs, and we make and lose friends on a regular basis. We spend a lot of our time waiting. Our children are called "unrooted". We are patriots to the end--long after the crowds have stopped cheering and we are left picking up the pieces. Join us on our journey as we continue to create and develop the Museum of the American Military Family-- celebrating and honoring our centuries-old history!
