Original Air Date:
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Guests:
Oprah welcomed Tom Brokaw, Bob Woodward, and First Lady Michelle Obama along with American military families who shared their stories of sacrifice and courage.
Show Summary:
There are many faces and stories that represent the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that many American's are disconnected from, or chose to turn a blind eye to in order to get through day-to-day life. This episode of The Oprah Show brought to attention brave families along with their struggles, heartbreak, and victories to puts names and faces to the longest wars in American history. How many soldiers or families do you personally know that are sacrificing for our freedom? I know of a few myself, but after this show my eyes were opened to the attention and help these soldiers and their families deserve.
Special Highlights:
This episode featured the following highlights:
- Legendary journalists Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward, along with our nation's First Lady Michelle Obama, sat with Oprah on the show to share their experiences wives, husband, parents, and children who are dealing with their loved ones leaving to risk their lives to protect ours.
- Their strength and sacrifice was amazing to see and inspiring, and I'm sure to many viewers watching, to begin doing what we can to help.
- Bob Woodward called the current situation an epidemic of disconnection as American's are choosing to look the other way and not recognize or contribute in improving the sacrifices of soldiers and their families.
- Jill Biden and Michelle Obama created the organization serve.org to give people ways to contribute to their communities in big and small ways.
What to Take Away from the Show:
The best suggestion on the episode was to begin locally by researching area families in your own city or if you are a small business owner, providing goods or services to deserving military families. Research through your churches or area military services to find families in need to help in individualized ways -- even small contributions like giving a military mom an afternoon to pamper herself or providing a family with extra supplies for their home can make a big difference in military families feeling like our country recognizes their sacrifice and appreciates all they do to protect our safety.