Annapolis feast with 4,000 midshipmen includes the mac & cheese recipe from Mrs. Obama's book 'American Grown'...
As part of her Joining Forces campaign, First Lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday visited the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD for a luncheon with midshipmen where she paid tribute to the future leaders as the nation's "best and brightest." Mrs. Obama was seated at the head table with Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Capt. Robert E. Clark III, Commandant of midshipmen, and Midshipman 2nd class Justin Chock, a political science major from Honolulu, and other students. (Above, Mrs. Obama seated between Chock, l, and Clark)

The First Lady's visit came ahead of a bill signing at the State House with Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley for the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013, which could benefit the students when they leave the military. Clad in a bright red pleated sleeveless dress and pearls with matching red heels, Mrs. Obama thanked the 4,000 midshipmen for their "service and sacrifice" as she stood beside a golden bell on a circular dais in the vast, airy mess hall.

"The degree of discipline and rigor that it takes to do what you do is truly amazing," Mrs. Obama said. "Barack and I, we are so proud of you all."

"We know you are some of the best and brightest that this country has to offer. It's important that you know that you have a President and a First Lady who will keep working to make sure that this country serves you as well as you serve us."