Guest Post: Joining Forces at The Cable Show

Dr. Jill Biden speaks before The Cable Show 2011 audience during the Thursday General Session.

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President, spoke during the Cable Show general session about Joining Forces, a program she and Michelle Obama created to recognize, honor, and support military families.  At the National PTA Convention earlier this month, a National Guard general spoke about the hardships and struggles of military families when loved ones are deployed.

Unless you have a close family member serving in the military, you can’t understand what these brave and dedicated Americans experience when the nation is at war.  I found my thoughts drifting to my brother-in-law, a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, leaving his wife and 2 children in Illinois to serve in Afghanistan. I’ve always been in awe of how strong, capable and resourceful my sister is when her husband is deployed.  Joining Forces holds special meaning for me because it’s shining a spotlight on these families.

Dr. Biden went on to praise the cable industry for their efforts to highlight the challenges and triumphs these families face through PSA’s, TV programs, and other initiatives such as History’s Take a Veteran to School and a new one by Discovery that helps teachers understand the unique challenges military children face.

If you know anyone who is a member of our armed services, or their family members, take a moment to think about their sacrifices and be sure to thank them for their service.

– Kat Stewart, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Cable in The Classroom

****************************************************************************

This blog post was re-posted with permission from Kat Stewart and Cable in the Classroom. To read the original post, visit the Cable in the Classroom Blog.

America’s Second Lady, Jill Biden, Thanks Military Families & Cable

The Cable Show’s third day continues.  Following the Paula Zahn interview with Oprah Winfrey, America’s second lady, Jill Biden, addressed the general session. Biden, a blue star mother, has a family member serving in the military.  She has made the mobilization of support for military families a priority during her tenure as America’s number-two wife.

Biden related the story of a young girl who broke into tears in a classroom after hearing Ave Maria.  The song had been played at the funeral of her father who had been killed in combat.  Biden worked to create a program that helps teachers support the special needs of children from military families.

In addition, Biden, together with Michelle Obama, created Joining Forces, a community program for military families that helps with jobs, education and support services.

After highlighting several other programs to assist military families, she touted the Administration’s efforts in this area.

She closed with a note of thanks to the cable industry for the programming and philanthropy efforts that give back to the military and their loved ones.

************************

Michael Turk is a Partner in CRAFT | Media / Digital, a full-spectrum communications agency.  Learn more about CRAFT at www.craftdc.com.