An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 12, 2012

First lady greeted by Missouri Guard members, families during recent stop-off

By Jennifer Archdekin Missouri National Guard

KANSAS CITY, Mo.- First lady Michelle Obama visited with nine Missouri National Guard members and their Families on March 5 when her plane touched down at the Kansas City International Airport.

While in town to attend a fundraising event for her husband at the Kansas City Jazz Museum, Mrs. Obama requested to meet with local military Families.

With the national initiative, Joining Forces, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are making it a priority to speak out for further support of service members and their Families.

Army Staff Sgt. Ian Rydzel, along with his wife, Krissondra, and son, Declan, had the honor to first welcome Obama when she departed her plane. He serves as a platoon sergeant with the 135th Signal Company and has been deployed to Bosnia and Iraq.

Immediately Krissondra and the first lady made a connection.

"It was so cool," Krissondra said. "It was a once in a lifetime thing. She asked about our Family and talked about how important Family is. She just wanted to make sure we were okay, which is pretty amazing having the first lady ask if you're okay."

Krissondra is a fifth grade teacher with the Shawnee Mission School District. As both a mom and educator, she said the experience to greet the first lady was amazing.

Obama made a point to speak to, shake hands with and even hug some of the Guard family members that were on site. Conversations ranged from career direction, education aspirations and physical fitness. The first lady thanked the group for their service, both in the military and at home.

"It shows a level of respect for the entire group," said Nicole de Fee, wife of Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Neece. "I think people underestimate how tough it is to have your spouse in a combat zone. I don't think people realize the toll that it takes on people and to have that recognized is kind of nice."

"You leave out the spouses, you leave out half the force," Neece said.

Neece serves with the 1141st Engineer Company (Sapper) and has been deployed to Iraq twice and most recently to Afghanistan.

Of all the conversations that were exchanged during the brief encounter, the most intriguing question posed to the first lady may have been by four-year-old Declan.

What was her snack on the plane?

"It was popcorn, bagels, candy and apples," Declan said.

 

 

Related Articles
Alaska Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Berg, a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter pilot, assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, conducts flight operations over Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Jan. 24, 2025. The Juneau-based Black Hawk aircrew conducts their federal mission training requirements and, when available, can respond to emergency requests by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center or the State Emergency Operations Center.
Alaska Army National Guard Conducts Medevac Mission
By Dana Rosso, | June 5, 2025
JUNEAUA, Alaska – A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, transported a patient from Skagway to Juneau June 3, following a medical evacuation request from the Alaska...

U.S. Air National Guard civilian firefighters, assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, pose in front of the fire truck that was the first on scene, South Burlington, VT, June 4, 2025. These firefighters provided the first fire truck on scene to a local fire.
Vermont Air Guard First on Scene of South Burlington Fire
By Airman Raymond LaChance, | June 4, 2025
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – Doireann Chesbrough, a civilian firefighter for the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, was sitting next to the radio in the dayroom of the station as the sun began to set over the Green...

Paratroopers from the Colorado National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces stand together before the first joint Colorado-Jordan airborne Friendship Jump, Watkins, Colorado, April 23, 2025. Members parachuted from a CH-47 Chinook as part of an event to strengthen interoperability and deepen the partnership between the two forces.
Airborne Operation Strengthens Colorado Guard, Jordan Partnership
By Senior Airman Melissa Escobar-Pereira, | June 4, 2025
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – In a display of cooperation and capability, Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces recently conducted a joint airborne operation in Watkins, Colorado.The April 23...