Michelle Obama honors US troops in Germany [November 11 2010]

First Lady Michelle Obama surprised a group of U.S. servicemen and women based in Germany on Thursday, jumping in to serve them steaks at a special Veterans Day meal. "Oh, my God! Wheres my camera," gasped Lavondee Stallings, a preschool teacher whose husband serves in the military, as Obama entered the banquet room at Ramstein Air Bases Officers Club.

Stallings was one of some 200 people with whom the First Lady spent time during a refueling stopover on the way home from her tour of Asia with President Barack Obama. "I am missing Sasha and Malia desperately," Obama said of her daughters as she spoke to the group gathered for the donated steak dinner, grilled by volunteers from the California-based Cooks of the Valley.

"But it is a thrill to be here with you guys, because we are so grateful to all of you," she said. "Not just our servicemen and women, but their kids, wives, husbands and parents." After serving, Obama went through the room doling out hugs, handshakes and warm thanks to troops and their families. She also chatted with their children, asking how they were doing in school and if they worked hard.