JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Michelle Obama spoke to a fired-up crowd made up mostly of military families, Tuesday at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center.

The wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama talked about a range of military issues including her husband's plan to revamp the VA system, as well as placing a higher emphasis on mental health care for returning soldiers.

She also talked about helping families through a family and medical leave program.

"All these challenges are harder for military families," Obama said. "That's something I've learned over the last 20 months. Because you become everything when your spouse is away. You're mom and dad. You're in charge of the checkbook. You're looking after your inlaws."

Obama also spoke about putting in place a 21st century GI Bill to help vets get an education when they return. Perhaps one of the biggest audience responses came when she talked about her husband's plan for timetables to end the war in Iraq.

"There's only one candidate talking about taking the $10 billion we spend a year in Iraq and reinvesting it in our neighborhoods to create jobs and to support our health care system," she said.

Obama also went beyond military issues to talk about the economy, which is on a lot of voters’ minds.

"We've all been touched by this economic crisis our nation is facing," Obama said. "You feel it every time you go to the grocery store. You feel it every time you fill up your gas tank, especially here in North Carolina."

She also talked about her husband's plans for universal health care and for reforming education. That appeal worked with voter Ruth White.

"If I vote for Barack it's with a little trepidation, because I'm not sure of his experience," White said. "But she kind of changed my heart a little bit."