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First lady Michelle Obama and second lady Dr. Jill Biden joined University President Steven Knapp Wednesday afternoon to urge students - and all Americans - to support veterans and their families.
Biden and Obama spoke at GW's day-long Veterans Day celebration that included a care package-building event and the presentation of the first-ever ServiceNation Award to Alma Powell, wife of alumnus and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, for her contributions to military and civil services.
But the event's clear highlight for students was the first lady, who is also scheduled to speak at GW's Commencement in May.
In the face of an 11-point drop in her approval rating reported last week by the Associated Press, students erupted in applause when Obama took the stage. Stating her "sense of pride and gratitude, but also a sense of awe, pure awe" for the efforts those in the military take to protect our nation, she stressed their importance, expressing gratitude for military sacrifice.
"Service," Obama said, "is the air they breathe, the reason they were put on this earth," speaking to the willingness of the veterans and those currently serving in the military to sacrifice their lives for the greater good.
She added, "Our veterans have what it takes for success. They have the skills to serve as well as the will to serve."
Biden, a longtime community college English professor, spoke before Obama and said Americans owe military service members appreciation for their work.
"On Veterans Day and every other day, it is our sacred duty to honor the service of those who sacrifice for our country, and we can all play a role," said Biden, whose son Beau recently returned from Iraq. "I hope that all of us will go off today and think about how we can join in this call of service. I know what an impact it will have."
Biden said a main goal of Mission Serve is to explore options for expanding access to childcare, reducing housing costs and making health care available and more affordable for veterans.
"I am always inspired by the deep commitment to our nation and overwhelmed with gratitude for all [veterans] do to protect all of us at home," Biden said.
The afternoon's award winner, Powell, said she was "deeply honored."
It is "with great humility with which I share this award with the military families, the countless Americans, that everyday make life better for those around them," she said. "It is important that we affirm today that it is all of us working in partnership to build a better America."
Powell, a longtime supporter of military families, has worked with America's Promise Alliance, an organization devoted to ensuring children have the fundamental resources they need to succeed.
Many students left mid-ceremony, once Obama, Biden and Powell were finished speaking and escorted off stage, missing a performance by veterans sharing their war stories.
Senior Lauren Czeizler said the exodus of students "represents GW poorly."
"That most students cleared out after the 'celebrities,' in a sense, were gone, goes against the whole point of today, which is commemorating the veterans," Czeizler said.
The remainder of the program featured speakers from different military and community-pairing service organizations including speeches from GW senior Brian Hawthorne, legislative director of Student Veterans of America and Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, University President Steven Knapp, and Timothy Mahoney, a sergeant in the U.S. Army.
The conclusion of the program was the "Telling Project," a performance by veterans and family members of military service men and women that allowed them to recount their experiences in the military to members of the community.
MTV correspondent Sway Calloway, the event's emcee, introduced the program, describing it as embodying "honesty and open-mindedness as the core principle of democracy," motivated by "veterans who want to speak about their experiences, and communities who want to listen."
Earlier in the day, uniformed service members, veterans, families, and students gathered in the Marvin Center's Great Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to those who are serving, have served, and will serve, Hawthorne said.
At the wreath-laying ceremony, keynote speaker Lt. Col. Clark Welch said that he felt very privileged to be able to bring recognition, honor and personal thanks to the day.
"We veterans stand together. Centuries ago [George Washington] was a veteran who had to resort to violence to figure out social problems that had to be resolved," Welch said. "Until mankind figures out a way [to resolve these social problems], the profession of arms will collect fine young men and women."
Before presenting the wreath, Hawthorne urged students to "Please thank a vet."
Students and faculty also participated in a care package assembly, sponsored by organizations including PBS, Target and Blue Star Families.
"This is a small way to thank them for what they've done for us," Knapp said.
Target donated the majority of items available for packing, said Karen Casanova, manager of community relations at Target in Minneapolis, and will be sent to three military and marine stations: Kansas National Guard, Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and Little Creek in Virginia.
"To be somewhere on Veterans Day and to see people coming out and to see it all in action is a great feeling," Vivian Greentree, membership director of Blue Star Families, said.
Students showed their support by making care packages as well.
"Personally, I don't agree with government actions in Iraq and Afghanistan but I have friends who work in the army... regardless of what I believe, I respect what the men and women are doing," said Emily Sieg, a junior.
