AFMC Command News

First Lady visits Eglin, speaks on AF family

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Air Force's largest U.S. base Oct. 15 to meet with local leadership and talk to Eglin's Airmen about the importance of family. 

Her focus was to acknowledge the new initiative of 'Year of the Air Force Family,' a year-long project to celebrate all Airmen and the families supporting them. The initiative will have numerous events to honor as well as help Air Force families. 

The flightline heat and Florida humidity didn't dampen the spirits of more than 1,000 people in Hangar 103. The Band of the Air Force Reserve also kept things lively with some contemporary tunes while the crowd waited. 

Then, she arrived. 

Eglin's Airmen greeted the First Lady with heavy applause and cheers. 

"I'm in awe of every single one of you," said Mrs. Obama, upon taking center stage. "This visit is one of the greatest privileges." 

She thanked many people in the audience and even mentioned a few Eglin Airmen she was most impressed with. One of those was Lt. Col. Rob Lyman, former 96th Communications Squadron commander, who was chosen as a White House Fellow earlier this year. 

She also acknowledged members of the 728th Air Control Squadron, who recently returned from their sixth deployment and the humanitarian efforts of the 33rd Fighter Wing members, who provided clothes to an orphanage in Grenada. The 'shout-outs' drew loads of applause. 

But most of all, she said she wanted to express her appreciation to the families and their sacrifice for their country. 

Before the speech, she met with a few of those families notably affected by deployments. Tech. Sgt. Michael Becker, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, who just returned from his fourth deployment, told the First Lady about his family. 

"We just told her our personal story, you know the family behind the military," he said while in his dress blues and holding his wife's hand. "While I was gone, Casey was taking care of the children and working a full-time job." 

She urged the families to continue to support their Airmen and that Washington was moving to help relieve some of the burdens of the military family. She mentioned a raise in military salaries, helping provide career enhancement opportunities and promised support to families who've lost their homes or can't sell their homes due to the economy. 

She also called on the community to continue to support Eglin in any way they could, through loans, jobs for spouses and pro-bono services. 

"It now falls upon us as a grateful nation," she said. "It is time for us to give back to our military families." 

"At the very least, you can do one simple thing. You can take the time to say thank you," she said. "Say thank you for the sacrifice they are making for this nation." 

After her speech, Mrs. Obama greeted many of the Airmen and families who'd gathered around the stage to shake her hand or get a photo taken. 

Senior Airman Sade Leonard and Airman 1st Class Trevious Walker, 46th Maintenance Squadron, were visibly moved after meeting the First Lady. 

"Her speech was so beautiful and inspiring, it really touched me," said Airman Leonard. "She also let me give her a hug."