First Lady Pool Reports of September 13, 2024

FLOTUS Pool Report 1 - Maxwell AFB Visit

First Lady Jill Biden's plane arrived at 12:06 p.m.

She was wearing a white dress and blue blazer.

Local and federal officials greeted Biden upon arrival. The officials included:

Mrs. Charlene Austin, Spouse of Secretary Lloyd Austin
Mayor Steven Reed, City of Montgomery, Alabama
Mrs. Tamika Reed, Spouse of Mayor Steven Reed
County Chair Doug Singleton, Montgomery County, Alabama
Mrs. Dawn Vandiver Singleton, Spouse of County Chair Doug Singleton
Lieutenant General Andrea D. Tullos, Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
Chief Master Sergeant Jennifer McKeen, Command Chief, Jeanne M. Holm Center
Colonel Shamekia N. Toliver, Commander, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
Chief Master Sergeant Gloria Winings, 42nd Medical Group, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
Mrs. Lori Wright, Spouse of Major General Parker Wright

FLOTUS Pool Report 2

Technical Sgt. Shakira Mathis held her son, as she spoke to First Lady Jill Biden about how the Maxwell Elementary Middle School's preschool program has helped them.

"I'm so thankful for the staff here. They have been like a family to me," Mathis said. She later added, "I'm just so grateful to be here as a parent and military mom."

First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited Maxwell Elementary Middle School in Montgomery on Friday to highlight the Department of Defense's new universal preschool program for military families.

Biden spoke to Montgomery leaders and Maxwell parents at the school about the Bidens' work establishing the program.

She also discussed President Joe Biden's effort to establish universal preschool for all Americans.

"Implementing anything new takes hard work and that's why we have come together to get this right," the first lady said.

Austin also spoke at the event and emphasized how important it is to support the United States' troops.

"So this is personal for me, and I know firsthand how much we ask of our troops and all our families," said Austin, who had a 41-year career in the Army.

Along with universal preschool, Austin has worked to raise troop pay by 10%, cut prices at commissaries and increase military families' basic allowance for housing.

While Biden and Austin were in the school, they toured classrooms, met teachers and even learned a song about a frog.

REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY

Today, September 13th, as part of her Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will visit Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to support military families, including the new universal pre-kindergarten program being implemented at Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. The new program is a key accomplishment of the Biden-Harris Administration and is helping pave the way for the future of universal pre-k in public schools across the country.

Following the airport arrival, the First Lady and Secretary Austin will visit students at STARBASE Maxwell, the Department of Defense's (DoD) STEM program that creates a bridge between DoD and civilian communities while providing local students access to DoD's wealth of expertise in science, technology, engineering and math career fields. This stop will be closed press.

After visiting STARBASE Maxwell, the First Lady and Secretary Austin will visit Maxwell Air Force Base Elementary/Middle School (MEMS) and receive an overview of their new universal, full-day pre-kindergarten program. During the visit, they will meet with educators and students participating in play-based learning activities.

Background on DoDEA's Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program

DoDEA implemented universal full-day pre-kindergarten at 80 of its 90 elementary schools beginning this 2024-25 school year, expanding equity and access, and providing intervening services for all four-year-olds. The remaining 10 schools will join the program in later phases.

Background on Joining Forces

Joining Forces is the First Lady's initiative to support those who also serve: military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. The First Lady's work and priorities of Joining Forces are guided by the life experiences and the perspectives shared during listening sessions with military-connected families. In the last four years she has visited over 25 military installations and worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 125 events with the military-connected community.

Background on Maxwell Air Force Base Elementary/Middle School (MEMS)

MEMS is a Department of Defense Education Activity school that serves military students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade. Since its inception in 1963, the school has provided educational services for military dependents living in permanent housing on Maxwell AFB.