First lady rallies help for military kin

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama said Sunday the rebuilding of a North Carolina home on ABC's "Home Makeover" was an example of helping U.S. military families.

In an op-ed piece in The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer, Obama said she was inspired by the way the city came together to help Barbara Marshall, who runs a non-profit organization that assists homeless female veterans.

"Now, I know that not every community can build a home in a week, and not every veteran will end up in Disneyland or on national TV. But I also know that the compassion I felt in Fayetteville is alive and well in every community across this country," Obama wrote.

The project that spruced up Marshall's home, which doubles as a resource center for her Steps N Stages Jubilee House group, was to be aired Sunday.

The first lady encouraged Fayetteville to enjoy the television spotlight and then look into pitching in with JoiningForces.gov, a volunteer campaign created by the White House to assist military families.

"It's about Americans uniting in service around these families," Obama said. "And it's about everyone -- no matter where they come from or their station in life -- stepping up to give something meaningful back."