The Obama family – Michelle, Sasha, Barack and Malia – on July 4 in Butte, Mont. Photos:ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

Like millions of other Americans, Barack Obama's family suffered through the Great Depression, served our country in the military and came to America as immigrants searching for opportunity. His story is our story – an American story.

We all have a story about our American experience, and Barack Obama is no different. Barack's grandfather enlisted during World War II and marched in Patton's army. During the war his grandmother worked the night shift at the Boeing plant, where B-29 bombers were assembled. His father came to this country to achieve the American Dream. His mother was from a small Kansas town. Americans are taught we can achieve anything through hard work and education. Barack Obama knows that is true.

Strong American roots

Barack's grandparents, who were from Kansas, were part of America's greatest generation. His grandfather, Stanley Dunham, worked on oil rigs during the Depression and served in Patton's army after Pearl Harbor. His grandmother, Madelyn (Obama calls her Toot, a version of the Hawaiian word for "grandparent"), worked on the B-29 bomber assembly line during World War II. After the war they studied on the GI Bill and bought a house through the Federal Housing Program. Stanley's job in the furniture business eventually took the couple and their daughter, Ann, to Hawaii.

Middle-class parents

Barack's father grew up in Kenya and worked tirelessly to earn a scholarship to study economics in the United States. He married Ann Dunham after meeting her at the University of Hawaii. Their son, Barack, was born Aug. 4, 1961, at Kapi'olani Medical Center in Honolulu.

Serving the community

After graduating from college in 1983, Barack went to work with Christian church-based groups on the South Side of Chicago to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment.

Educator and public servant

Keeping a promise he made to community residents, Barack returned to Chicago after law school. He worked as a civil rights lawyer and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago. In 1997 he was elected to the Illinois State Senate and served eight years. In 2004 he was elected a U.S. senator.

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