Join Me, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden on Mother's Day!
This Sunday is, of course, Mother’s Day, and I am very happy to tell you about a special television show airing Sunday evening at 8pm ET/PT, 7C on Hallmark Channel. The show is called ‘Martha Stewart Presents: America’s Moms – A Celebration of Military Families With Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.’ This primetime Mother’s Day special features a visit to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina, home to more than 47,000 Marines and their families. During this hour-long show, you’ll see my conversations with two of America’s most prominent moms, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden. You’ll learn about the shared initiative that has bonded them closely called Joining Forces. This wonderful effort is bringing attention and support to the military families who sacrifice so much for our country.
You’ll also see ‘Operation Shower,’ the world’s largest baby shower for military moms-to-be. The White House coordinated this event with not-for-profit group Operation Baby Shower, and hosted forty expectant moms whose spouses are serving overseas. I shared some fun tips about the art of scrapbooking so these women can preserve and share precious moments with returning military dads. Then, I sat down and talked to three expectant moms whose husbands are currently in combat zones in Afghanistan. Viewers will get a firsthand look at their lives. And finally, to commemorate the day, I planted and dedicated a magnolia tree to all of the babies born at the camp in 2011. This tree is now planted in front of the very hospital where all of these babies will enter the world. I hope you will tune in to watch and a very happy Mother’s Day to all!
1 Here I am on the plane to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with Rock Eduardo Pereira. Rock drives for me and I asked him to join us for this trip.
2 Rock, who is a Staff Sergeant with the Marines, has served in Iraq.
3 Kim Miller - VP of Production
4 Susan Magrino - my publicist
5 Donna Newman - photographer
6 Daisy Schwartzberg - makeup artist, Anthony Sorenson - hair stylist, and Melany Lynch - my executive assistant
7 The entrance to Camp Lejeune
8 Camp Lejeune has been the home of “Expeditionary Forces in Readiness” since September of 1941.
9 The theme for the baby shower was red, white, and blue and everything was donated, including these festive cookies by Sweets Indeed. http://www.sweetsindeed.com/
10 As well as these candy kabobs
11 There were even classic Raggedy Andy and Raggedy Ann dolls!
12 Really cute party decor
13 Pottery Barn Kids donated a convertible crib to each mom at the shower. http://www.potterybarnkids.com/
14 First Lady Michelle Obama presented the group with the baskets that she and Dr. Jill Biden brought from the White House filled with presidental onesies and baby blankets.
15 The First Lady really knows how to lift spirits.
16 It was wonderful meeting all of these terrific mothers-to-be.
17 A nice group shot - the gal in front of me is expecting twins!
18 Some quiet time before interviewing Michele Obama and Jill Biden
19 A really nice portrait
20 Another group shot with our production crew for this event
21 And a group shot with Rock
22 Posing with some marines - Camp Lejeune spans 244 square-miles, 156,000 acres, and contains 11 miles of beach.
23 The base has trained soldiers to fight wars all over the world including the Pacific Islands, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
24 I also chatted with expectant military mothers about the joys and challenges of having husbands in uniform.
25 Tiffany Lowe, me, Rachel Carne, and Ashley Thomas
26 Posing with some woman Marines
27 Here I am with Colonel Daniel J. Lecce, Base Commanding Officer and Daniel J. Zinder, Captain, Medical Corps, United States Navy.
28 And finally, to commemorate the day, I planted and dedicated a magnolia tree to all of the babies born at the camp in 2011. This tree will stand in front of the very hospital where all of these babies will enter the world.
29 The dedication plaque.
Martha Pins
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Hallmark Channel has done great with your shows. My nephew just returned from Iraq and my husband and son have also served our country in military, Allen didn't quite have the memory of Fort Jackson basic training here. Jamie, My nieces and I have fond memories of our trip there when he 'graduated'. Our country owes our service people and thier families a real debt of grattitude. Magnolia tree will be a lasting tribute to your time at camp LeJuene.
Posted by: ann | May 6th, 2011 at 1:05 am
I love, love this post. It made me cry I found it so sweet.
Posted by: Rebecca | May 6th, 2011 at 1:26 am
You're so lucky Martha!!!! He's my favorite Chef!!! His raspberry tart is to die for!!! No wonder you look so good... always in the company of the makers of ambrosia
Posted by: j | May 6th, 2011 at 2:31 am
I will not miss this special show, considering all that went on this past week. You've picked the perfect subject for this Mother's Day. May you have a wonderful day yourself, Martha.
Posted by: Al | May 6th, 2011 at 6:54 am
Thank you for this community service. I have had the privilege of visiting Camp LeJeune during Memorial Day weekend 2009. I have a friend who retired from his civilian post there recently and is lucky to be retired now just off base. The beauty of North Carolina is not to be missed. I was amazed at the dedication of the Marines on base and off base. They are great patriots. I enjoyed working out in the base gym. I must visit again! I have enjoyed all your programming on Hallmark Channel and will tune in Sunday. Plan to do much planting of my vegetable seedlings and build up my garden soil. Hope I can stay awake for it!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 6th, 2011 at 8:28 am
Martha, that was a Good Thing that you did. Our soldiers do not get enough credit, or honor, for all they do for us. They are under-paid for what they do, along with law enforcement officers, and fire fighters.
Thank you for honoring them amd their wives.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | May 6th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Hi Martha,
What an uplifting occasion for the moms-to-be who are home alone ‘holding the fort’ while their husbands are serving overseas! I can imagine their excitement at having three distinguished guests tending to their needs with words of encouragement as well as gifts. They sure do look happy in the group picture. I’ll definitely be watching on Sunday and thanks for today’s preview with your pictures. The idea of planting a beautiful magnolia tree was very thoughtful and the plaque is nice also. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 6th, 2011 at 10:10 am
A touching subject on Mother's Day. I will definitely tune in. You also look great in that blue blazer. You should wear that color/fit more!
Posted by: Maggie | May 6th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Hi Martha, Thank you for this beautiful blog post about you, Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden, three of the most important ladies in the USA who are honoring these lovely soon to be Mothers at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina! What a thoughtful thing for you to do for them-they look so happy to see all three of you!These photos are stunning once again and I love every one of them! The weather there looks fantastic-sure would love to be there! How thoughtful to have those cute gifts for those new Mothers to be and how generous of you to plant that Magnolia tree to honor the new babies born in 2011!! This blog post was like an extended preview of your Special Show on Hallmark Channel on Sunday, May 8th at 8PM-I can't wait to see it!! Happy Mother's Day to you, Alexis, and all other Mothers!!! Have a wonderful weekend! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 6th, 2011 at 10:48 am
I want the Hallmark Channel!! Too bad AT&T UVerse doesn't carry it. You're looking gorgeous by the way.
Posted by: Keith Lee | May 6th, 2011 at 11:58 am
It is very commendable for you to host a baby shower for the pregnant women. I am sure they are honored for the recognition and beautiful things. Let us hope Operation Baby Shower
extends out to all military bases with you attending as many as you can. Every expectant mother needs a "good job" event for the sacrifices they are willing to live with while being a military family.
Posted by: Margie | May 6th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Special treats for very special and brave moms-to-be.
Have a wonderful Mothers day. (Isn't being a Grandmother just the best?)
Posted by: Sharon | May 6th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I'm looking forward to this show.
Posted by: Amy | May 6th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Martha,
Thank you so much for everything you do for our men and women in uniform. You do so much for our country. You have impacted so many people and have been my ispiration for 20+ years. I hear you are here in the Bluegrass for the Kentucky Derby? Try the Derby pie and a Hot Brown at the Brown Hotel. You can't miss I hope the rain holds off and you have a wonderful time. Win big for me :^} Welcome to Kentucky!
BTW, Happy Mother's Day and Happy Derby Day!
Rebecca Armstrong
Posted by: Rebecca Bennett Armstrong | May 7th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Thanks for coming to Camp Lejeune! My best friend and I were able to meet you and take a picture with you! My husband is currently in Afghanistan. It was a huge treat to see you on base!
Posted by: Katie | May 7th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
So happy for you, Martha. So congratulations to you. Look forward to seeing you talk with our beautifully leading ladies, First Lady Michelle, and Dr. Jill Biden. Your coverage will help our military families world wide. Thank you for once again getting involved in a GOOD THING. I'm sure it will go well. Can't wait to see. All 3 of you are very powerful women. As a woman I stand with you watching from the other side and also being an Air Frorce Brat.lol Break a leg.
Posted by: CB Ballard | May 7th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Hi Martha! I can't wait to watch this show online.
Happy Mothers Day to you, Alexis and all the sweet Moms in the world. XO
From me to you my Cherry blossom cupcakes http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuGMhhy
I would love to share with you our Cherry blossom trees in Mount Lebanon http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuFE1zm
Wish you a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 8th, 2011 at 1:57 am
Happy Mother's Day
Posted by: Japanese Pop Fashion | May 8th, 2011 at 5:39 am
Hi Martha,
I am looking forward to this special because I have a lot in common with it. My Husband and I are currently station in North Carolina (Camp Lejeune/New River Air Station) as well and are currently expecting our first baby together however most likely will not be here for delivery of the baby since he was called to serve in Afghanistan. I know the heart ache these women are experiencing, becasue it's the same I feel day in and day out with hardly any communication. Although I know he is doing great things out there, days like Mother's Day can be very tough. I wish ALL the mom's out there the BEST and would like to let them know they are NOT alone!
Send you all love,
Ms Linda Leyva...
Please pray for a safe return for all the Marine's and my husband Sgt Leyva (Unit 272)
Posted by: Linda Leyva | May 8th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Wonderful show. I missed some because we were at our own Mother's Day celebration. Please keep up the good work.
Posted by: Barbara | May 8th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Dear Ms. Stewart, Thank you for your show on military families. As a military wife for 30 years, it was so wonderful to see these families highlighted in such a positive way. I just wanted to invite you (and realize that you are a very busy person) to a Baby Shower for 1000 military moms here in Fayetteville NC home of of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. This will be on June 25th. It is a community effort sponsored by Fayetteville Cares. To find out more, please go to http://www.fayettevillecares.org.
Again, thank you so much.Jan Anderson
Posted by: Jan Anderson | May 9th, 2011 at 7:40 am
I hope that you re-run this program. Thank you for your service Martha to the country. Happy Mother's Day. I had two great days gardening with my mom. And it included teaching my 2 year old neice the pleasures of the garden.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 9th, 2011 at 8:37 am
This is wonderful....thank you for supporting our troops at home....smiles.
Posted by: Ellen | May 16th, 2011 at 9:46 pm