Thursday, October 29, 2009

Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Yogi Berra, Vets at World Series Video


First lady Michelle Obama received a warm welcome from Yankees fans and a kiss from the captain before Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

Mrs. Obama and Jill Biden, wife of the vice president, escorted Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra to the mound for the pregame ceremony honoring the nation's veterans. Earlier in the day, the two visited a Bronx veterans hospital and handed out goody bags stocked with Yankees caps and teddy bears.

Wearing a maroon World Series jacket, Mrs. Obama smiled as the crowd cheered. Mrs. Obama and Biden each got a peck from Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter on their way off the field, and the first lady high-fived a fan before disappearing into a Yankee Stadium tunnel.

Mrs. Obama has been a vocal advocate for veterans and military families in the nine months since her husband became president.

"I'm happy with every minute that I spend time with our men and women in uniform and our veterans," Mrs. Obama told a crowd of veterans and hospital staff at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, who responded with three standing ovations. "Each and every day, they selflessly and courageously serve this nation."

She called on all Americans to "take the time to be more aware of these heroes in our midst, and honor them by doing more service not just for them, but for all our communities." AP