Focus on military families at 2012 debut of White House Christmas
Washington (CNN) – First lady Michelle Obama welcomed the holiday season at the White House Wednesday with a viewing of decorations throughout the house.
She celebrated her fourth Christmas in Washington with military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children.
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Paying tribute to the families, Obama said the biggest tree in the house honors them.
"The very special joining forces tree is covered with hand decorated ornaments made by military children living in U.S. bases around the world," Obama told the group gathered in the East Room.
The first lady said 90,000 individuals will come through the White House during the holiday season to view the extensive preparations.
Fifty-four Christmas trees are located along the visitors route and more than 175 pounds of gingerbread made up the White House Gingerbread House, according to the White House. Each room along the tour was altered to reflect this year's theme, "Joy to All."
"It celebrates the many joys of the holiday seasons: the joy of giving and service to others; the joy of sharing our blessings with one another; and, of course, the joy of welcoming our friends and families as guests into our homes over these next several weeks," Obama said.
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God bless our First Lady and the care she gives to our warriors and their families.
Maybe they should actually be trying to do something to end the war?????
If they really want to support us then show it in the means of passing a responsible military budget that will keep our military safe and their families taken care of. We need more than cute tea parties and Christmas trees.. I have a lot of friends who don't know if next Christmas, after serving 11 years in the military, they will have the money for gifts because their solder, sailor, airmen or marine will be unemployed, dumped by a government who would rather hand out excess months of unemployment checks then take care of those who put their lives on the line or the families they will not spend this Christmas with.
Who pays for 54 trees & that much gingerbread?
glad to see the servicemen and familys honored in this way
Whagt a wonderful First Lady we have in Mrs.Obama. I am glad that she will be around for four more years helping the troops and lifting the country.