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First lady Michelle Obama surprised more than 300 servicemembers and their families at the Ramstein Officers’ Club during her visit to the KMC Nov. 11.
The participants were enjoying a special Veterans Day meal, provided by the California-based Cooks of the Valley, when Mrs. Obama, accompanied by Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, suddenly entered the room and proceeded to the serving line to help serve steaks.
“I’m here because I want to thank all of you,” Mrs. Obama said. “I was on my way back home when we stopped here to refuel, so I wanted to come by and spend some time with you guys.”
She said that though she misses her daughters, Malia and Sasha, desperately, she felt it was critical for her to be here to express her gratitude.
“I know from the work I’ve done with all of you over the past several years that it’s not just our men and women in uniform who serve,” she said. “It is your families who are making just as many sacrifices, who are giving just as much and sometimes more. And it is so important, particularly on this day, to make sure that our entire country says ‘thank you.’”
The first lady also said she enjoys being around the military and every American should spend some time at a military installation or hospital as a reminder of the sacrifices servicemembers and their families make for their country every day.
“We are in this together,” Mrs. Obama said. “So I just wanted to take these few moments to say hello and again thank you on behalf of myself, my husband, my family and a very grateful nation.”
After serving steaks and delivering a short speech to a cheering crowd, Mrs. Obama went around the room sharing hugs, smiles and handshakes.
“This was an awesome surprise,” said Tech. Sgt. Tiana Simms-Russell, 86th Services Squadron Northside Fitness Center noncommissioned officer in charge. “I think it’s great that she took the time to come see us here on Veterans Day. It really shows that she cares.”
While at Ramstein, Mrs. Obama took some time to visit wounded servicemembers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. She also briefly met with her German counterpart, first lady Bettina Wulff.
