RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina National Guard Army Staff Sgt. Stacy Garner is ready for anything. She has excelled while completing the Army Air Assault School and even deployed to a combat zone Southwest Asia. But nothing could prepare her for an invitation to meet with Michelle Obama.
First Lady Michelle Obama invited Garner, her husband and their three children, along with members of other services and their families, to meet her when she landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport Friday, March 2.
“Does anyone say no to meeting the first lady?” said Garner.
Obama is on a tour of North Carolina promoting her “Let’s Move” physical-fitness initiative.
Before the families arrived at RDU’s North Cargo facility, security teams that included officers from the Raleigh Police Department, Wake County Sherriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Secret Service checked the cargo ramp in the hours before the first lady’s arrival.
“This is not ceremonial. It is a privilege and duty,” said North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Mike Conwell. “We want it to go without incident.”
Later in the morning, the families began to arrive and gather at the cargo field gate to wait for the arrival of Obama.
United States Marines, soldiers, a naval officer and their families soon became new friends and talked with each other about the upcoming visit.
“All my friends called me and said get pictures,” said Garner.
Everyone lined up along a small roped-off area reserved for the families. Their patience was soon rewarded. A small jet descended from overcast skies and landed several hundred yards away.
The crowd leaned forward against the rope as the plane began to taxi toward the terminal.
A multitude of security personnel came out of the craft after it stopped. Senior Air Force airmen stood at attention as Obama descended down the steps of the aircraft.
She walked toward the families, greeted each person with a hug and quick chat and even signed an autograph or two.
“It is a great experience meeting her,” said Darryl Garner, Staff Sgt. Garner’s husband and a retired North Carolina National Guard sergeant first class with 22 years of service in the Guard and the active Army.
Obama hugged Staff Sgt. Garner and then bent down to say hello to each of Garner’s children. Before she left the flight line, the first lady had a message just for Garner.
“Hang in there, and be safe.”
Along with Garner’s husband, her children Tyler, age 12, Zachary, age 3, and Izaiah, age 2, also joined her in greeting Mrs. Obama.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Garner grew up in Statesville, N.C. She joined the North Carolina National Guard in 2003 and is currently assigned to its Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh where she is also employed full time as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the military identification card facility.
| Date Taken: |
03.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
03.05.2012 01:30 |
| Story ID: |
84721 |
| Location: |
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: |
213 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, North Carolina Guard soldier meets First Lady, by SFC Robert Jordan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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