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First Lady Wants Next White House to Keep Focus On Military

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Michelle Obama says the next White House occupant should keep making it a national priority to support service members, veterans and their families.

Mrs. Obama and Jill Biden created a nationwide initiative called "Joining Forces" in 2011 to support active-duty and retired service members and their families. It includes finding jobs for retiring and returning veterans and helping spouses transfer professional licenses when they move to another state.

The first lady announced Thursday that 40 companies have pledged to hire more than 110,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years.

Online retailer Amazon says it will hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses during that time.

The announcement was part of a monthlong series of events marking the fifth anniversary of Joining Forces.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

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