JOIN USThe first family, which is spending its Christmas vacations in Kailua, in the northeast of Oahu Island, made the unannounced visit to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay on Saturday. The President and the first lady spent about an hour and a half with the marines, shaking hands, taking pictures and sharing a Christmas meal.
Obama had already visited this base during his previous Christmas vacations in 2008 and 2009. The President and the first lady also paid tribute to members of the US military and urged Americans to support men and women in uniform.
“Today, we are also thinking of those who can’t be home for the holidays — especially all our courageous countrymen serving overseas,” Obama said in his Saturday radio address, which he delivered together with his wife.
Michelle Obama urged Americans to support troops either personally or through volunteer work at “organisations that support military families. “And anybody can send a care package or pre-paid calling card to the front lines, or give what’s sometimes the most important gift of all: simply saying ‘Thank you,’” the first lady noted.