The Country They Love

Ten years ago today, we repealed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Today our military is stronger and our country is safer because patriotic Americans no longer have to live a lie in order to defend the country they love. pic.twitter.com/uXKSnsflMk

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 20, 2021

The repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ allowed these two Marines to be true to themselves while serving in our military. Listen to their story: https://t.co/A7jxXTG1G1

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 20, 2021

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, let’s remember the men and women who sacrificed everything for the people they served with and the country they loved. We owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude. pic.twitter.com/uPSn54O9Xs

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 31, 2021

Let everyone know the truth: Newly liberated Black people in Charleston created Memorial Day to honor Black soldiers for their courage and tenacity after they fought on the frontlines of the Civil War. pic.twitter.com/FTBCvrCh5U

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) May 31, 2021

President Obama In Greenbelt

The other day I had a chance to visit a COVID-19 vaccination site in Greenbelt, MD. It was great to see so many folks getting their shot. If you need one, sign up today at https://t.co/k4jKpPT5qo — and then spread the word so we can keep our families and communities safe. pic.twitter.com/iyR2IqCTD4

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 14, 2021

Forever Grateful

While working on Joining Forces, @DrBiden and I were honored to meet with our extraordinary troops, veterans and military families. This Veterans Day, take a moment to thank a military service member or veteran for their service and sacrifice to our country. pic.twitter.com/KU4QKx7r4U

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) November 11, 2020

Today, we’re reminded of our solemn obligation: to serve our veterans as well as they have served us. To all of our veterans and service members, we’re forever grateful for your commitment to our country—and your willingness to put it all on the line for us. Thank you.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 11, 2020

Juneteenth: Freedom Day

"Juneteenth is a time to recommit ourselves to the work that remains undone. We remember that even in the darkest hours, there is cause to hope for tomorrow’s light."—@BarackObama, 2016 pic.twitter.com/WQ2C4QXLG3

— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) June 19, 2020

Harriet Tubman
Mother Freedom#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/iI1DdcxJno

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) June 19, 2020

****

A great way to celebrate #Juneteenth? Support Black women filmmakers like @cgpeoples - her film @Juneteenthmovie drops on digital today. A lovely film about mothers and daughters, dreams deferred and reclaiming our own liberation. #MissJuneteenth pic.twitter.com/sphrPshhlJ

— FilmFatale_NYC 🇭🇹 🇩🇴 🇺🇸 (@FilmFatale_NYC) June 19, 2020

#OTD in 1865, enslaved African Americans were notified of their freedom by Union troops in Galveston Bay, TX—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

Known as #Juneteenth, this day is widely celebrated as the end of chattel slavery in the U.S. #APeoplesJourney pic.twitter.com/banVoF49nl

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) June 19, 2020

****

https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1273938522454593543

https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1273939882679951360

****

https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1273940518087659520

https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1273941034758737922

****

Though it has long been celebrated among the African American community, it is a history that has been marginalized & still remains largely unknown to the wider public. The legacy of #Juneteenth shows the value of deep hope & urgent organizing in uncertain times. #APeoplesJourney pic.twitter.com/juqbpOGxYu

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) June 19, 2020

Although the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control, some enslaved people would not be free until much later.

[BLOG] The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth: https://t.co/rUhEaMtM0J #APeoplesJourney

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) June 19, 2020

****

For more than 250,000 African Americans, June 19, 1865, signaled the final day of their enslavement. Two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, Texas had yet to officially recognize the President’s executive order. #APeoplesJourney pic.twitter.com/1eZrAfElgv

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) June 19, 2020

Not until Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX with 2,000 soldiers on June 19, 1865, did enslaved African Americans learn about their emancipation.

How do you and your community commemorate #Juneteenth? #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory pic.twitter.com/Guppu0hKZC

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) June 19, 2020

Our Roadmap

On Memorial Day, we honor those who gave all for us. That takes different forms this year, but it’s even more vital with the loss of so many veterans to COVID-19.

The way they lived, in service to one another, should be our roadmap in the months ahead. https://t.co/S0sqvuicm8

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 25, 2020

Forever In Your Debt

This Veterans Day, here’s a moving portrait of the extraordinary resilience of my friend Cory Remsburg, an Army Ranger I’ve come to know over the years. It’s an honest tribute to all those wounded warriors and their families who give so much to our country https://t.co/rBAMNk0zvb

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 11, 2019

Whenever I'm looking for a source of strength and courage, I think about our veterans and their families—they inspire me every day. On #VeteransDay, let's make sure we all give a little something back to those who have given so much to our nation. pic.twitter.com/OVmgtxPQ3d

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) November 11, 2019

****

Stories like this are a reminder of our duty, as a country and as Americans, to support every veteran—not only in words, but in deed. To every veteran out there, thank you. We’re forever in your debt.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 11, 2019

Hidden Heroes

****

I’ve always been so inspired by the military caregivers who give so much to care for our nation’s wounded warriors. I’m thankful for the work that @dolefoundation does every day to celebrate and support our caregivers. I hope you’ll find a way to do the same in your community. pic.twitter.com/qpoIYINoNv

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 24, 2019

The gangs all here. Tonight, we’re thrilled to honor @MichelleObama with the Tom Hanks #HiddenHeroes Champion award, in recognition of her commitment to supporting America’s military caregivers. pic.twitter.com/zAaBRTSjr3

— Elizabeth Dole Foundation (@DoleFoundation) October 23, 2019

****

Former First Lady Michelle Obama became teary as she accepted the Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion award for service to military caregivers on Thursday night at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes gala.

Opening up during a speech at the Washington, D.C. event, the former first lady said she first became aware of the difficulties for spouses, parents, and children of wounded and ill vets while on the campaign trail when her husband was first running for president.

“You all changed me forever,” she said. “You have changed the way I see service, you’ve changed the way I see war, you’ve changed the way I see this entire country. Whether we simply talk about the values we like to pride ourselves on, values like duty and honor and patriotism, or if we actually live them out.”

More here

****

.@savannahguthrie emceed the second annual Hidden Heroes Gala with the @DoleFoundation on Wednesday night, and some very special guests joined the event: @MichelleObama, @TomHanks and @RitaWilson!

The organization brings attention to the 6 million Americans caring for veterans. pic.twitter.com/DD2xRuNk8l

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 24, 2019

Find @MichelleObama's powerful remarks here👇https://t.co/75ptHakZR4 pic.twitter.com/SCzclzunX1

— Elizabeth Dole Foundation (@DoleFoundation) October 24, 2019

****

Eight years ago First Lady @michelleobama started Joining Forces to activate support for service members, veterans, and their families. Today, @tomhanks presents her with Hidden Heroes Champion Award to thank her for taking action to support #hiddenheroes. #HeroesAndHistoryMakers pic.twitter.com/qbNwslg6pR

— Elizabeth Dole Foundation (@DoleFoundation) October 24, 2019

A Presidential Treat

The families of our wounded warriors don't often get a lot of fanfare, but they're serving and sacrificing right alongside their loved ones. We all owe a debt to them, too, and Fisher House is always making sure we're serving those who serve us. https://t.co/dqnvNk9cQR

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 1, 2019

Military families staying at the Bethesda Fisher Houses got a treat today when former President @BarackObama delivered cookies and visited with our injured and ill military and their families. https://t.co/XvDPbYQrYS pic.twitter.com/pWajlLq9tG

— Fisher House (@FisherHouseFdtn) August 1, 2019

Service, Responsibility, Generosity, And Citizenship

To all our veterans and your families: thank you. There's no tribute that can truly match the magnitude of your service and sacrifice. But all of us can do our best to live up to the American values of service, responsibility, generosity, and citizenship that you helped defend.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 11, 2018