January 28, 2011 
Oprah Winfrey dedicated her show on Thursday to military families and urged Americans to “stop the epidemic of disassociation” with those who serve.
Winfrey began the show by describing the “blunt” phone call she received from journalist Tom Brokaw who asked her to shine a light on the lives of our nation’s service members and their families. Winfrey admitted she did not know anyone currently serving and realized that she, like many Americans, was grossly out of touch with what military families go through and have been through during many years of war.
The show featured Brokaw and journalist Bob Woodward as guests and included moving profiles on a gravely wounded
Army soldier and his family as they recover from war, a proud
Army wife who detailed the challenges and joys of military life and a
Gold Star Mother who lost her son in 2005.
First Lady Michelle Obama was also on hand to ask the audience to understand that these families are not prone to asking for help. “These wives aren’t wearing uniforms,” she commented pointing out that it was a citizen duty to seek out those in your community who are military families and offer your help in any way you can.
When asked what it is about military families that impress her, the First Lady replied, “Their strength. Their pride. Their courage. Their willingness to sacrifice without complaint moves me every single time. Whenever I'm feeling bad, feeling sorry for myself, I suck it up because of these families.”
Brokaw pointed out that, “less than 1 percent of the American population is bearing 100 percent of the burden of battle. And even those who are not wounded come home as different men and women than when they left.”
The goal of the show was to establish a new connection between civilians and military families and Oprah urged all those watching to find a way to stop “paying lip service” to the service of so many.
Winfrey directed her audience to go to
www.serve.gov to find organizations they can partner with to show their appreciation.
Did you watch the show? What did you think? E-mail the Editor of CinCHouse at press@military-inc.com or check out what SpouseBUZZ blogger Andi has to say and leave your thoughts there.