First Lady strong advocate for improving quality of life

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Catherine Talento
  • Air Force News Hawaii
CAMP SMITH, Hawaii (AFPN) --  While primarily known as an advocate for education, First Lady Laura Bush is also an advocate for improving the quality of life for servicemembers. During the stopover in Hawaii on their way back to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Bush used the opportunity to meet with servicemembers, retirees and family members to talk about the quality of life issues important to them.

Topics of discussion included the continued improvements to military housing and programs to help military dependents transition in and out of Hawaii's schools.

"This goes right to the heart of the issue," said Master Sgt. Tommy Holmes. "You take care of the family, take care of their housing and their schooling, then the service members are able to do what it is they need to do."

Marquis Johnson, a 16-year-old junior at Radford High School, used the opportunity to talk to the First Lady about the needs of military family members transferring from one school to another. Marquis said he was nervous talking to the First Lady but found her to be very hospitable, a sentiment echoed by several of the group's participants.

"She is what you see," said Sergeant Holmes. "She is very honest and very open. What you see on TV is what you see in person."

Transition Center Coordinator Jan Ikeda said one of the best parts about talking to the First Lady is knowing Mrs. Bush will bring their issues and concerns to other influential leaders.

"I'm really hopeful that they can continue the conversation. I think we'd like to be a part of that conversation because of what we go through here on Hawaii," Ms. Ikeda said.