Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press Michelle Obama, the first lady, exclaimed over children’s artwork during a visit to the U.S.O. Warrior and Family Center in Fort Belvoir, Va., on Wednesday.FORT BELVOIR, Va. â€" Michelle Obama, in keeping with her continued focus on the families of wounded veterans, spent Wednesday afternoon at the new U.S.O. Warrior and Family Center here, visiting with the young children of veterans and touring the facility, which provides care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and other disorders.
Dressed in a sleeveless turquoise shift dress and pink flats, Mrs. Obama slid quietly into a large recreation room where children were making banners and crafts from cut-out handprints.
“Do you realize you guys are heroes?†she said, before plopping down into a seat next to a 6-year-old girl named Abigale Starr to help her with some hand crafts. Mrs. Obama’s end of the conversation, the only audible part, went on, coffee klatch style, for several minutes: “Tell me more, tell me about life.†“What’s going on in Ohio?†“Oh, you saw a steamroller? Did you get steamrolled?†“Maybe you could come trick or treat at the White House. Really!†“Well, you know, some kids are more excitable than others.â€
The first lady then took a tour of Intrepid Spirit One, a new center built with money from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, and met with veterans and their family members in a private session.
The children also got a special treat: cookies made at the White House that featured the likeness of the first family’s new dog, Sunny.
