Pool Reports by Kemi Osukoya, The Africa Bazaar Magazine
| Sent: | Reports: |
| November 27, 2023 12:33 |
FLOTUS Pool report #1 Pool is gathered for First Lady Jill Biden Roundtable with National Guard Families REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY? On Monday, November 27th, at 12:30 PM ET, ahead of unveiling this year's White House holiday theme and as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families, the First Lady will host a roundtable discussion with National Guard children and families. As a fellow National Guard mother, Dr. Biden wanted to show appreciation for, and honor, the special role the National Guard plays in serving our country. Opening Remarks:
Roundtable participants:
Parents of the National Guard children and National Guard military leadership from the States represented will also be in attendance, as well as General Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau. As First Lady, Dr. Biden has visited over 25 military installations; worked with?Joining Forces?partners to support over 50 events with the military-connected community; and helped coordinate the Administration's efforts to increase and raise awareness of resources and support for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. In one of her first events as First Lady after President Joe Biden's inauguration, the First Lady visited the National Guard at the U.S. Capitol to thank them for keeping our country safe. Most recently, through Joining Forces, the First Lady has hosted the military community and spotlighted their stories at the White House throughout 2023:
About Joining Forces: Since day one of the Biden-Harris Administration, the First Lady has prioritized military-connected families through her Joining Forces initiative, which supports those who also serve: military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. Guided by the life experiences and the perspectives voiced during in-person and virtual listening sessions with military-connected families and stakeholders, the work and priorities of Joining Forces centers on the needs of this population in the areas of: Employment and Entrepreneurship; Military Child Education; and Health and Well-Being. |
| November 27, 2023 13:22 |
FLOTUS pool report #2 First Lady Dr. Jill Biden entered the room at 12:25pm, and said "hello" to everyone. She then went to greet and shook hands with each of the 12 National Guard children sitting at a round table. Per FLOTUS schedule for today, Dr.Jill Biden is hosting a roundtable discussion with 12 national guard children and their military families to show appreciation and honor the role the National Guard plays in serving the country. It's part of the Joining Forces initiative. More colors from the event to come |
| November 27, 2023 14:36 |
FLOTUS pool report #3 for roundtable event with National Guard children Here some highlights from the event: The event took place in the Secretary of War suite in the EEOB building. FLOTUS wore a light blue pantsuit that she accessorized with a crystal star brooch on the lapel of her jacket After greeting the children, the she sat down at the table with the kids. Mrs. Kelly Hokanson, the spouse of the Chief of National Guard Bureau, General Daniel Hokanson opened the event, followed by the son of Specialist Laura Grieco of the New Jersey National Guard, Caleb Grieco, who introduced the First Lady. In his speech, Caleb described FLOTUS Dr. Jill as "a very special woman who has dedicated her life to building into her family, teaching and finding ways to use her gifts to help others. She holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership making her the first wife of a US president to hold a doctorate. Not only that, but she is the first to balance the role of the first lady with a full time job. She also has a passion for military families, which is why we are all gathered here today." In her speech, FLOTUS thanked the military families in the room "Joe and I are so grateful for your leadership and everything you do to help National Guard families. So thank you all for joining us." Also in her remarks, the First Lady said the National Guard and their families hold a special place in her heart because of their son Beau Biden who served in the Delaware Army National Guard. "Our National Guardsmen and women have to be ready to go and support missions at a moment's notice and that means that their kids, all of you, know what it's like to have your mom or your dad missing at the dinner table every time they're called to duty and you do it with humility and honor. I want you to know that my husband President Biden and I are so grateful and so proud of all of you. We know it isn't easy." After she finished her remarks, each child introduced himself/herself, age, their state and favorite activity. Caleb said he likes robotics, some of the kids said they enjoyed playing soccer. the First Lady said all her grandkids enjoy playing soccer. She asked what position in the field does the kid plays. One kid said she likes math. Another said playing video games. One kid named Jeremiah from Florida said he likes aviation. Dr. Biden asked him if he plans to go into the military. He responded Yes. Eight-year-old Marina Munyabuhoro of N.H. is the daughter of Airman First Class Theogene Munyabuhoro, who emigrated to the U.S. from Kenya. She said when she grows up she wants to join the Army to honor her father's legacy and to be a symbol of hope and a very good example to other immigrants kids and "to protect this blessed country." She then thanked Dr. Jill Biden for her dedication to the military families. Flotus Jill Biden asked the kids how she and the President can better support them and other military families. Pool was ushered out of the room at 12:46pm In total, there were 38 people in the room, 26 adults and 12 children. That's it for Flotus' roundtable event with the National Guard kids and military families. Thanks. |
Pool Reports below by Jesus Rodriguez, The Washington Post
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| November 27, 2023 13:25 |
FLOTUS pool report #4 - checking in Hi all, I'm your pooler for the First Lady's remarks during the holiday unveiling. The pool was ushered upstairs to the Grand Foyer, now awaiting Dr. Biden. There are about 50 guests gathered on either side of the lectern and a few dozen more filing in. The foyer is decorated with reindeer overhead, little snow-dusted holiday trees, and pale green poinsettias on the floor around the podium. A military band is playing jazz numbers and holiday songs. |
| November 27, 2023 14:03 |
FLOTUS pool #5 - holiday unveiling remarks The theme this year: the magic, wonder and joy of the holidays. Dr. Biden entered the Grand Foyer from the Blue Room at 1:26 dressed in a sky blue pantsuit and a glittering brooch. The band played a flourish from Jingle Bells as she entered. She began the remarks with an anecdote from a social experiment in 2007 in which violinist Joshua Bell played classical music at the L'Enfant Metro station during rush hour and only a small group of people stopped to listen. "Any idea who it was?" Biden asked the crowd. "Children!" the crowd responded. Children, Biden continued, are "unbound by time" and "inherently know beauty." "It's this childlike marvel and awe" that inspired the theme of this year: the magic, wonder and joy of the season As if they were children, Biden said, guests are meant to gaze up at the decorations with wonder, "like we did" She was flanked by the 18-foot Christmas tree behind her, which is adorned with thousands of lights. The Gold Star tree, Biden said, has the names of fallen service members. Dr. Biden turned emotional as she nodded to their service. "May God bless our troops and their families," she said. Dr. Biden went through each of the ornaments and decorations A vintage passenger train weaved around the tree behind Dr. Biden with a quiet mechanical whir. Ornaments were made by children of military-connected families. Dr. Biden pointed at the official White House Menorah using reclaimed beams from the White House from the Truman era. Reindeer above the Grand Foyer are made of papier mache, Dr. Biden said. "I don't know how you feel but I feel it's just breathtaking," she said. It's a season for friends and families, and for "gratitude," she said. Biden thanked the "hundreds of volunteers and designers." Dr. Biden thanked volunteers who pinned gumdrops to the decorations, to loud cheers and raised beverage glasses from the crowd. It appeared that those gathered were some of the hundreds of volunteers who decorated the White House. "As our hearts grow heavy in the face of a tumultuous world …" Biden said, "it's in these times that we are searching for hope and healing. These points of light. … That's when we need each other the most." "Even as a busy world beckons us," Biden said, children teach us "how to find beauty, even at a busy Metro stop." She wished a "Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season from the Biden family." Dr. Biden waved at the crowd and exited through the Blue Room as the band played Sleigh Ride. Remarks concluded around 1:38. The East Wing passed along extensive details on the decorations in each of the rooms and prepared remarks. Please check quotes against this Otter: https://otter.ai/u/wyLORZoiAvKSKTGTQHycJLTiuT0. The pool was escorted to the East Room for the Frozen performance pre-set. There are two imposing, lighted Christmas trees and two models of the White House facade on either side, and several dozen guests milled about while caterers served champagne. A low stage was lined with red potted poinsettias. The performance is taking place at 4:15. This is the end of the pool report for the unveiling. |
Pool Reports below by Kemi Osukoya, The Africa Bazaar Magazine
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| November 27, 2023 16:14 |
Flotus pool report #6 for the Disney Frozen performance Pool and pre-credentialed reporters gathered at the palm room door at 4pm. we are now in the East Room. FLOTUS Dr.Jill Biden entered the room at 4:02pm with young children. She delivered remarks. The performance began after the First Lady delivered a brief remarks. More colors to come |
| November 27, 2023 17:13 |
FLOTUS pool report #7 for Disney's Frozen performance in the East Room Colors from the Disney's Frozen performance in the East Room: First Lady Dr. Jill Biden entered the room with young military children at 4:02pm and invited children to join her on stage. (A small stage was set up in the room for the performance) After FLOTUS remarks, the children of National Guard families and local military families were treated to a special performance by the cast of the North American tour of Disney's stage musical, Frozen. She began her remarks, noting "Today is a special day at the White House…This moment with you, military children. You answer the call of duty for our country and the President and I are so grateful. So we wanted to say thank you and share some of the magic, wonder and joy of the season." She then invited the actors and actresses on stage for the performance. She stepped of the stage and stood at the left side of the room to watch the performances along with the audience, which consists only of military families. Most of the people in the room wore uniforms, except for the spouses and children. One military father carried his toddler daughter on his shoulder so she can watch the performance. Lots of applauses after each performance. Six performances in total. The show wrapped up at 4:23pm, with the five members of the cast, which includes Caroline Bowman (Elsa), Lauren Nicole Chapman (Anna), Jeremy Davis (Olaf), Dominic Dorset (Kristoff) and Preston Perez (Hans) taking a bow together and then thanked Dr. Jill Biden. "We would like to thank Dr Biden for inviting us to your home," the lead performer said turning to thank the First Lady. They Disney group then sang the frozen theme song finale, "Let It Go." At 4:24p.m, First Lady came back on stage and again thanked the families: "Please enjoy the White House and thank you to you and your family. Pool and reporters left the East room at 4:29pm. Passing along additional info from the First Lady's office about today's unveiling of Holiday Theme event: On Monday, November 27, 2023, the First Lady will officially unveil the holiday and seasonal decor, offer her holiday message to the Nation, and thank the volunteers from across the country who helped decorate the White House for the season. As part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families, the First Lady invited National Guard families to be the first members of the public to experience the White House holiday decor. As a fellow National Guard mother, Dr. Biden wanted to show appreciation for, and honor, the special role the National Guard plays in serving our country. The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military that serves both community and country, in domestic and foreign missions. After delivering her holiday message, the children of National Guard families and local military families will be treated to a special performance by the cast of the North American tour of Disney's stage musical, Frozen. According to representatives from Disney: The stars of the North American Tour of Disney's Frozen will perform 6 songs from the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, coming to the Kennedy Center from December 20, 2023 – January 21, 2024. The cast includes Caroline Bowman (Elsa), Lauren Nicole Chapman (Anna), Jeremy Davis (Olaf), Dominic Dorset (Kristoff) and Preston Perez (Hans). The following songs will be performed:
That's a wrap for my FLOTUS pool report for today. Wishing everyone a magical Happy Holidays. |
| November 27, 2023 17:21 |
FLOTUS pool report #8 Per the First Lady's office, about 270 national guard families and local military families attended the Disney's Frozen performance in the East Room this afternoon. |
Jill Biden, First Lady Pool Reports of November 27, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/368198