“While I know there have been critics, I felt that, more often than not, this film touches on many of the emotions and experiences that I’ve heard firsthand from military families over these past few years. . . .
First lady Michelle Obama speaks during the launch event for “Got Your 6,” a multifaceted program that includes encouraging film and television to include characters who are veterans, Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at the National Geographic Society in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
“We have a real opportunity to go way beyond the platitudes of the entertainment industry.“We love to say, ‘I support the troops!’ and ‘I’ve got a yellow ribbon!’ but there’s an actual, tangible way to make a difference. That’s what the challenge is here.”
— First Lady Michelle Obama on “American Sniper” in her call for Americans to genuinely support our troops, their families and veterans
I haven’t seen “American Sniper,” the mega-hit movie that has Americans sniping at each other, and I’m not going to judge a movie or book or anything else that I haven’t seen or read for myself.
But I do appreciate the First Lady’s words, and especially for her call to genuinely support our troops, their struggling families and the thousands of suffering veterans struggling to cope from the reality of war.
While Americans are debating this movie, homelessness in America is spiking, especially among veterans. (Approximately 144,000 veterans are homeless on any given night according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Within this number, female Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experiencing homelessness is increasing, as is the number who have dependent children. See more at this link.)
It’s easy enough to wave the flag and have a “Support Our Troops” sticker on the car, but making a real difference in the lives of military people and vets takes some conscious effort. I appreciate Michelle Obama for tireless and largely unnoticed or unappreciated support of our troops and veterans.
And by the way, a little more conscious prayer support for our military and veterans, and a lot less sniping, might be in order.
Click here to see the whole article about her address to the film industry.
Jitterbugging for Jesus 
Paul – you are correct. We may not like her, but we are called by God to love
her. Only God knows her heart! There is nothing good in any of us, Jesus
told us so in Scripture. There is so much self-righteousness and hate-mongering in America. Instead of cracking jokes and spewing hate, I think
praying for her and believing that God is Sovereign, and that nothing happens that His Hand hasn’t touched!!!
True, Theresa. Nothing good comes from this bitter, hate-filled culture war and it sure does nothing to advance the kingdom of which Jesus gave us a foretaste.
Hello Rev. Paul, I think our First Lady is classy and I’ve liked her from the first time I became aware of her. Yes, she is concerned about returning vets but, despite the Rev. Mike HuckleChuckle’s view, I think she is a great parent – even a role model parent! One of the no-no’s of politics is speaking about the First Couple’s children. He should stick to buddying around with his “super-patriot” pal, Ted Nugent and lay off the children.