Jill Biden plays to type in ‘Army Wives’ episode

 WASHINGTON (AP) — It isn’t much of a stretch for Jill Biden when she takes an acting turn in an episode of Lifetime network’s “Army Wives.”

The second lady, playing herself, visits the show’s Fort Marshall to hear about the challenges facing military families and offer them words of encouragement.

“I’m proud to be here today as a second lady, but I’m even more proud to be here as a military mom,” Mrs. Biden tells a group that gathers for the post’s annual fun run to benefit military kids.

In between all of the bickering, smooching and other interpersonal drama of the TV show, Mrs. Biden gives the crowd a pep talk. She tells them how important it is to build “stronger ties between our civilian and military communities.”

“Although only 1 percent of Americans are fighting our wars today, we need 100 percent of Americans to support them and their families,” she says.

She blows a horn to start the fun run, and that’s that.

Mrs. Biden’s lines sound a lot like those the second lady speaks in real life: She’s traveled extensively to support the cause of military families.

Mrs. Biden and her husband were hosting a special screening of the episode, titled “Mud, Sweat and Tears,” at Fort Belvoir, Va., on Thursday night.

Their son Beau returned last year from a yearlong deployment to Iraq with an Army National Guard unit.

A number of real Army wives are featured in the TV episode, which is scheduled to air Aug. 8.

“Army Wives” stars Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell.

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