Whiteman Airman shares experience at president's home

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted a White House tribute to Iraq War veterans and their families Feb. 29, 2012, to honor them for their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation.

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with senior officials from each branch of service joined the president and first lady at an event titled "A Nation's Gratitude: Honoring Those Who Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn."

Master Sgt. Shane Lacaillade, 509th Medical Operations Squadron clinical operations NCO in charge, and the Missouri representative at the dinner, was among 60 service members who were chosen to represent Iraqi war veterans.

Lacaillade was nominated by his squadron to attend the event and was selected based on his accomplishments while deployed to Iraq, according to Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Cooley, 509th Bomb Wing command chief.

Lacaillade and his wife, Christy, said it was an amazing evening they will never forget.

"I am very appreciative to have received this opportunity to represent my fellow Airmen, medics and those I served alongside during Operation Iraqi Freedom," Lacaillade said.

The Lacaillades were seated at a table with Mrs. Obama and highly decorated service members and their families.

"We did not know we would be at the same table with the first lady until we met her and the president in the receiving line and she informed us that we would be sitting together," Lacaillade said.

"It was quite entertaining sitting with Mrs. Obama," he said. "She immediately made us comfortable by telling a few jokes and talking to us like we were friends. The first lady does a lot of work with military families and was very interested in how we, as families, cope during deployments. She said it has been her visits to military bases and speaking to families that has enlightened her most to issues that are unique to the military family."

We were also curious about her family life at the White House and she shared some hilarious stories that had us all laughing through dinner," Lacaillade said.

Lacaillade said Mrs. Obama was warm, genuine and frequently expressed her gratitude to everyone sitting at her table.


"Our evening at the White House was one filled with pride and awe," Lacaillade said. "After taking in the overall splendor and historical significance of just exactly where we were standing, we also felt the distinction of the veterans surrounding us. Each room was filled with men and women, of various ranks, in every type of U.S. military uniform and it seemed only befitting to have the grand portraits of previous presidents looking down upon them. If only the rooms could hold each and every veteran."