It isn’t every day you can welcome a sitting First Lady to your home, but that is what happened in Twentynine Palms Wednesday (March 10) when Dr. Jill Biden came to the Twentynine Palms Marine Base.
You know it is a big day when you see Twentynine Palms Mayor Dan Mintz in a suit. Managing editor Tami Roleff and I arrived separately to a staging area near the main gate along with about 20 other reporters from local and regional print and broadcast media. There was a string of small busses ready; to honor COVID protocols, there were only about four reporters in each to maintain distance. Each bus was joined by White House and advance party staff who made sure we all had packets of information.
The short ride from the main gate to the east side of the General’s Lawn left no doubt that security was very high. Bomb-sniffing dogs checked the busses, each reporter was wanded, our equipment was checked, and while not immediately apparent, snipers could be spotted on nearby rooftops.
Secret Service agents were in abundance and it was clear they were calling the shots. The Base staff was organized, professional, and equally as serious. We waited on the bus while three magnificent Ospreys landed on the field. With winds generated up to 110 MPH by their rotors on a cold and blustery day, the shelter of the busses was welcome. The first Ospreys carried staff and more security and after the rotors stopped, we were brought out to watch Biden, accompanied by her staff, disembark. The cameras whirred and clicked as she greeted the Commanding General Bill Jurney (and Mayor Mintz).
Back on the busses, it was a motorcade off to the Child Development Center for a visit. The delightful kids non-plussed by the gaggle of reporters and staffers with a couple kids even saying “cheese” for the cameras.
Back on the busses, the motorcade was off to the Officers and Staff NCO club where Biden talked to military wives about their unique sacrifices and asked what else could be done to assist them.
On the very windy and cold day Biden did note that any future desert visits would not be done in a skirt. Then it was back to the bus, past the whitecaps on Lake Bandini, and back to our vehicles. The visit was a fascinating experience and something our City, the Base and its very competent staff could be proud of.
Managing editor Tami Roleff has more information about the First Lady’s visit at the child care center and with military spouses…
“Good morning First Lady.”
“Good morning. It’s nice to see you all.”
After landing on the General’s lawn in an Osprey, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden made a quick visit to the base’s Child Development Center.
“And today I had the opportunity to see how you also support some of the littlest members of our Marine Corps and Navy family.”
Prior to meeting privately with six military spouses, Biden talked about the program she and former First Lady Michelle Obama started in 2011, called Joining Forces, to help military families. The program will focus on employment, education, and wellness. Biden said she understands how hard a military life can be, when the left-behind spouse often becomes the “default” parent when the other parent is deployed and often has to make difficult decisions on their own.
“The men and women of the armed forces can’t be their best when they’re worried about all of you, the families who are struggling, and that’s why this … is a national security imperative.
Military parents have additional stress and struggles.
And they’re trying to help their children process frustration and fear and restlessness, all while they struggle with their own worries and anxieties.”
She said she was there to hear suggestions from the military spouses about what help they need.
“I hope you can tell me anything, so we can help make things better.
She left with a message of hope for military service members and their families.
Your Commander-in-Chief and I will continue to lift up your experience and rally to get you the support you deserve.”
