Photo By Master Sgt. Duane Brown | First Lady Michelle Obama addresses Hollywood movie producer, director, J.J. Abrams, a...... read more read more
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Armed Forces service members and the Writers Guild of America come together to participate in a panel discussion to inform the Hollywood community on ways it can support the military and its Families at the WGA Theater in Beverly Hill, Calif., June 14.
The event was initiated by the First Lady Michelle Obama highlighting the Joining Forces initiative, and a task force of top level producers, writers and directors in Hollywood with the goal to inspire the entertainment community to create more television, feature film and Internet projects about military Families and the military.
Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, created the Joining Forces initiative to help the nation understand "That when our country goes to war, we have families that are serving right along with them."
When Obama began on the campaign trail, she spent a lot time meeting with working women. As she toured the country and began to meet with working military spouses on service installations, she began to realize how little she knew about what they go through.
“I didn’t come from a military Family,” said Obama. “I began to realize how little I knew, so I began to ask the question, ‘why?’”
After researching the issues and working with Dr. Biden, they came to the conclusion that military service members represent only one percent of our population, but they shoulder the responsibility of protecting our entire Nation. Missing birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and so many of the daily moments we spend with the people we love, they make incredible sacrifices. But , they don’t make them alone.
Joining Forces wants military families to realize that they are doing their part to support them on the ground at home on a daily basis, relaying that they understand and appreciate these great sacrifices.
Obama asks Hollywood continue to contribute in these efforts by supporting Joining Forces in its effort to be there for military families before they even need to ask; by using their creative minds to find a way to tell the stories of so many men and women serving this great country by making this a priority.
“There are many ways to help,” said Obama. “Even if it’s just babysitting for a few hours so a mother can decompress.”
During a discussion moderated by J.J. Abrams, director and producer behind blockbuster movies like “Star Trek” and “Super 8,” Obama spoke on issues like post traumatic stress disorder, which is an issue that needs to be addressed more thoroughly as the wars continue, assisting families and service members as they readjust and encourage that people seek help.
Post traumatic stress disorder is a long-term problem for many people. Studies show that 33–47 percent of people being treated for PTSD were still experiencing symptoms more than a year after the traumatic event. Without treatment many people may continue to have PTSD symptoms even decades after the traumatic event.
“Without proper care, PTSD can become a real problem for soldiers and can have an even greater toll on military Families,” said Sgt. 1st Class Geovanni Moreno, U.S. Army Community Relations Liaison, Los Angeles, Calif. “I went through the Wounded Warrior Program and fully identify with exactly what Joining Forces stands for and I think it’s a great thing and needs to continue gaining momentum.”
Warrior Transition Units, WTUs, provide personal support to wounded Soldiers who require at least six months of rehabilitative care and complex medical management.
Also in attendance was retired Army Staff Sgt. Shilo Harris and his wife Kathreyn. Harris and his wife were featured in a WTU film "Warriors in Transition: A Story of Resilience" that personified the will and determination of those that serve abroad.
“Warriors in Transition: A Story of Resilience” can be viewed on line at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulc4L-uavwc
Many Hollywood stars were on hand to support the event.
Michael Chilkis, star of hit T.V. show “No Ordinary Family”, has a cousin, Army Staff Sgt. Jarrod A. Brown, who has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan to support his country. Brown, a father of five, Jordan, Desi, Madison, Nathan and Ryan (twins), is currently in pre-deployment training before he leaves on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. He’s understands the importance of supporting Family members of deployed Soldiers like Brown’s mother, his aunt.
After the panel concluded, the First Lady took the time to personally thank each service member in attendance for their commitment, dedication and service.
“It was awesome!,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Dorothy F. Jarman, platoon sergeant, 2nd Heavy Equipment Transport Unit, 916th Striker Brigade, Fort Irwin, Calif., and native of American Samoa. “The First Lady is very well grounded and seems to not only understand the needs of the American service member, but the ever-changing needs of military families too.”
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2011 16:44 |
| Story ID: | 72084 |
| Location: | BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 488 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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