Gratitude for military families

Opinion: April 14, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Seattle Times: As the United States supports military forces in three war zones, the families left behind will get more attention thanks to efforts launched Tuesday by the White House.

More is at work than gratitude and ensuring an oblivious civilian population provides for those who share in the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform. Certainly that element is present.

A scant handful of Americans have served in the military since the country stopped conscripting soldiers in 1973. Nor has the public been directly asked to sacrifice to support conflicts, with their trillion-dollar expenses taken off-budget.

While no one was watching, the demographics changed too. More than half of active-duty National Guard and reservists are married. An estimated 43 percent have two children.

First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the vice president, will visit cities across the United States to promote “Joining Forces,” a program coordinated by the Center for a New American Security.

They will lead what is described as a coordinated, comprehensive appeal to community organizations ... to be mindful of the needs in their area.