White House Hosts AMVETS Families for Easter Egg Roll

Yesterday, AMVETS families joined thousands of children from around the country on the White House Lawn for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

The theme to this year's Egg Roll was "Ready, Set, Go!", promoting health and wellness for America's youth. In addition to offering the traditional egg roll races, an Easter Egg hunt, and celebrity story-telling, this year's event offered children dozens of games and activities encouraging proper diet and exercise, such as Yoga stations, dance lessons, sports zones, celebrity chef demonstrations, and gardening tips in First Lady Michelle Obama's organic garden.

NFL's "Play 60" campaign also sponsored a football-themed obstacle course.

The White House extended thousands of invitations to local military personnel, wounded warriors, veterans, and veterans' organizations, including AMVETS.

Special guests for this year's event included the cast of the Fox television show "Glee," singers Sarah Bareilles and Justin Bieber, actress Reese Witherspoon, author J.K. Rowling, Olympian Apolo Ohno, Chef Susie Limb, Chef Nora Pouillon, and the White House chefs.

President Barack Obama also made several appearances throughout the day, greeting guests and reading Dr. Suess' "Green Eggs and Hamm," alongside the First Family.



The annual tradition dates back to the 1870s, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened up the White House lawn to host the Capitol's annual Easter Egg Roll.

(Photos: Top: Bridgette Agg, daughter of AMVETS' Jay Agg, chases down her egg during yesterday's egg roll races on the White House lawn. Bottom: Air Force veteran A.J. Anderson looks on, as his daughter, Bella, talks to Bridgette during the White House Egg Roll. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)