Debbie Gregory, CEO of MilitaryConnection.com, was sent this letter from the White House. We believe that the violent shootings in Tucson are difficult for adults to deal with, and even harder for our children. We hope these words from the First Lady will help.
Posted by First Lady Michelle Obama on January 13, 2011 at 06:07 PM EST
Dear parents,
As parents, an event like this hits home especially hard. It makes our hearts ache for those who lost loved ones. It makes us want to hug our own families a little tighter. And it makes us think about what an event like this says about the world we live in – and the world in which our children will grow up.
In the days and weeks ahead, as we struggle with these issues ourselves, many of us will find that our children are struggling with them as well. The questions my daughters have asked are the same ones that many of your children will have – and they don’t lend themselves to easy answers. But they will provide an opportunity for us as parents to teach some valuable lessons – about the character of our country, about the values we hold dear, and about finding hope at a time when it seems far away.
We can teach our children that here in America, we embrace each other, and support each other, in times of crisis. And we can help them do that in their own small way – whether it’s by sending a letter, ****or**** saying a prayer, ****or**** just keeping the victims and their families in their thoughts.
We can teach them the value of tolerance – the practice of assuming the best, rather than the worst, about those around us. We can teach them to give others the benefit of the doubt, particularly those with whom they disagree.
We can also teach our children about the tremendous sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country and by their families. We can explain to them that although we might not always agree with those who represent us, anyone who enters public life does so because they love their country and want to serve it.
Christina Green felt that call. She was just nine years old when she lost her life. But she was at that store that day because she was passionate about serving others. She had just been elected to her school’s student council, and she wanted to meet her Congresswoman and learn more about politics and public life.
And that’s something else we can do for our children – we can tell them about Christina and about how much she wanted to give back. We can tell them about John Roll, a judge with a reputation for fairness, about Dorothy Morris, a devoted wife to her husband, her high school sweetheart, to whom she’d been married for 55 years, about Phyllis Schneck, a great-grandmother who sewed aprons for church fundraisers, about Dorwan Stoddard, a retired construction worker who helped neighbors down on their luck, and about Gabe Zimmerman, who did community outreach for Congresswoman Giffords, working tirelessly to help folks who were struggling, and was engaged to be married next year. We can tell them about the brave men and women who risked their lives that day to save others. And we can work together to honor their legacy by following their example – by embracing our fellow citizens, by standing up for what we believe is right, and by doing our part, however we can, to serve our communities and our country.
Sincerely,
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is the First Lady of the United States
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/13/open-letter-parents-following-tragedy-tucson
Dive into World War II's finest literature, perfect for history buffs and those seeking captivating…
Explore 7 Pivotal Moments in US Military History: From the Birth of the Continental Army…
Explore a diverse group of military influencers and veterans as they share their unique experiences,…
Understanding Agent Orange Effects, VA Benefits, and Veteran Support: A Comprehensive Guide for Vietnam War…
Explore the top ten must-read books about World War One, including memoirs, historical non-fiction, and…
Discover the enduring legacy of Vietnam Veterans and the profound impact of the Vietnam War…
