First lady Michelle Obama wants military families to know they have a friend in the White House, she told "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview today at Fort Bragg, N.C. -- her first network television interview since her husband took office.

Michelle Obama sheds light on families living on food stamps in the recession.

"It hurts. It hurts," the first lady said of hearing about military families on food stamps. "These are people who are willing to send their loved ones off to, perhaps, give their lives -- the ultimate sacrifice. But yet, they're living back at home on food stamps. It's not right, and it's not where we should be as a nation."

Mrs. Obama also spoke about why she has faith the country will pull through its tough economic times, how her mother, Marian Robinson, has helped her family ease into the White House and how the Obamas are adjusting to their new home and life in Washington, D.C.

Obama's comments to ABC News followed an emotional private meeting with military families at Fort Bragg. The first lady traveled to North Carolina to hear their stories about the support services that are available to them and what can be done to better serve those who serve their country.

Mrs. Obama believes that she has an opportunity to bring attention and awareness to these issues and to accomplish something on behalf of military families across the nation.


"I think that's one of my jobs, is to try and shed some light on some of these issues," she said, "to not just be in that conversation with military spouses and hear those stories, but to take that information back to the administration to share it with the nation, so that we can think again about how we can better support these families."

Later, she met with community groups that provide such support to talk about how to improve coordination and to reach the people who need help the most as they struggle with the challenges and stress of deployment and the economic crisis.

Working with and for military families is at the top of the first lady's agenda as she settles into her new role in the White House -- so for her first trip outside of Washington, she chose to highlight the struggles of the nation's servicemen and servicewomen.

This is so sad; how those that serve our nation are lost in the system and struggle to get by without their spouses there to help.

Kat

I have heard many stories about our soldiers not getting their health taken care of after coming home and losing their homes and cars while being in the service. Not supposed to happen that way...but it does.

Kat

Oh gosh, don't get me started on how military families are treated. After living on that kind of pitiful excuse for a salary for too many years too count... I could rant for hours!

It's a true shame at how military families are treated and expected to live!

I've worked for the VA Hospital. Things need to change!!

she can accomplish much in hightlighting unmet needs of our service personnel and their families.


hope she can achieve all that she wants to in this worthy endeavour.

What's worse?
Foodstamps, or
going to war and then coming home to see Illegal immigrants with your jobs!

This situation is shameful.

It isn't new.

In the lat 70's my husband was in the navy. We were living below the poverty line!?!? I was quite young and couldn't find work. We had a small daughter after a few years and we pinched pennies. I went days without eating. When the ship was in port I ate on the boat.

I have known other families over the years....all who served and all who were hard pressed to survive even if both parents worked.


When you have a volunteer force especially at a time of war it is wrong to allow them to struggle like this.

Do you have a support out troops magnet or a flag on your bumper? Send that money to a group that helps like Navy Relief.

Please...put your money where your mouth is. Support our troops is not just a slogan to sling around.

They are changing.
Up until last month, we had access to a VA Dr. here in our rural community 3 times a week. The case load hasn't changed but, they cut him back to 1 day a week.

I live in the city and just can visualize a VA doc going to homes. lol

Dang, they cut him back to 1 day a week. I'm sorry to hear that.

VA here - vets can only see the psychiatrist every other month. They are overloaded right now with the vets coming back and down to the skeleton crew. Rehab used to be for 4 weeks. Bush cut the monies and it changed to 14 days - once a year. Everybody knows that 14 days doesn't cut it. I could say more but it would be too long of a post.

We have a large va here in the city. I have been there. It is not good. If you want to be seen by a good one..you must go to Wichita. Then...good luck.

Foodstamps are just a portion of the troubles our military families are having.

Kat

My dad is a vietnam war vet and until I got involved with his healthcare, once I was old enough to, he got awful care. He now can't walk very weel and has to use a motorized wheelchair for most of his getting around.

He lives in florida, i live in mass, but the hospital is well aware that I will travel to florida on a moments notice if I think his care is insufficient. At the moment the va is doing everything they can to help him including a visiting nurse.

I am proud of my dad and will do everything in my power to make sure he gets the best care he can get.

what's worse, going to war and then coming home to find out that your country has been bankrupt by a group of people that you just killed for?

You are a good son!

Since when is it a shameful thing to get food stamps - is that not legal support? At least those folks can get money for food. Many of the working poor, in my state, aren't even eleigible for food stamps. It seems having a reliable means of transportation (a vehicle worth $2,000)excluedes one from eating. Of course without viable transportation how is one to acquire one of the "many" available jobs that pay minimum wage? No one answers that question though.

There are a great many people, currently utilizing food pantries and food stamps, and they have jobs. We call them the working poor, a class that, until recently, has been staticially denied.

I guess, what this all means is, there is even less reason for anyone to JOIN the military or to re-up. By all means, let's get the word out. NO MORE ENLISTING - at least until there's a real reason for warriors to sacrifice themselves.



Oh - yet another reason to end the madness. If war is such a commendable thing and sacrifice such a worthy statement - why do so many seek psychological treatment upon their return?