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President proclaims military spouse appreciation day

Posted 5/6/2011 Email story   Print story

    

5/6/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- President Barack Obama has declared May 6 Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

In his proclamation issued May 5, the president said:

"Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes in uniform who protect and defend our great Nation every day. Across America and around the world, military spouses serve our country in their own special way, helping families and friends through the stress of a deployment, caring for our wounded warriors, and supporting each other when a loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Our service members and their families seldom ask for support or recognition. They carry out their duties to family and country with the quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American spirit. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed.

"When a member of our Armed Forces is deployed, an entire family is called to serve. The readiness of our troops depends on the readiness of our military families, as millions of parents, children, and loved ones sacrifice as well. This means supporting our military spouses is also a national security imperative. Earlier this year, my Administration released the report on military families, 'Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment,' which marshaled resources from across our Government to identify new opportunities to support these patriots.

"First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are working tirelessly to enlist all sectors of American life to address the unique challenges of military families. Their national initiative, "Joining Forces," mobilizes Americans to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. Americans can find service projects, send messages of thanks to military families, and learn more about this initiative by visiting: http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces.

"On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us join together to show our service members we are taking care of their families back home as they serve our nation across the globe. As neighbors, teachers, parents, and fellow citizens, we can reach out to military husbands and wives in our communities. We can show our appreciation in countless ways, from offering to help with household maintenance and childcare to encouraging the community involvement and career development of military spouses.

"It is through our actions that we show our commitment to our service members and their spouses. By embracing military families, we demonstrate our partnership in the defense of our freedom and the security of the United States.

"Now, therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim May 6, 2011, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth."

Barack Obama

(Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)



tabComments
6/16/2011 3:18:01 PM ET
He is not the first president to proclaim Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Remember way back in 1984 by president Ronald Reagan. Word of thought. Another political move to get votes. It is bad that he has to take credit for something that was already in effect. Let the facts be seen.
Smoker, AZ
 
5/9/2011 3:26:08 PM ET
Q: Which was cheaper, this spouse appreciation day declaration or an honest review of increasing the family separation allowance? A: Give them an Atta-Girl and press on.
Bitter Truth, CONUS for now
 
5/9/2011 1:43:38 AM ET
The quiet courage and strength that exemplifies the American spirit... LOVE IT... couldn't have said it better. What a great way to show spouses and family of our military they are appreciated. It's so important we always keep the core of our country's communities and family's strong. Let's truly be UNITED states communities and families.
Crystal, Grants Pass OR
 
5/7/2011 10:39:41 PM ET
HLC - I normally don't like cynicism but your post was hilarious. Nice work.
Chris Kimball, Louisiana
 
5/7/2011 9:34:52 PM ET
As the wife of a serviceman who saw action in three wars I salute all wives of past and present serviceman. Don't forget the husbands of service women. They too serve.
Elaine, Wisconsin
 
5/7/2011 8:23:18 PM ET
Don't forget this is the same President who used military pay as a pawn in a stupid political budget game. Thanks for the sincere support and all.
Sgt Whoever, Conus
 
5/6/2011 3:03:56 PM ET
As a single guy whose spouse left him after the first deployment and who has been on six more deployments since, I dedicate today to all my property management companies, property and auto storage facilities, and pet adopters who have made these many deployments possible. On behalf of all single servicemen, thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.
HLC, Over There Again
 
5/6/2011 2:19:43 PM ET
I think this article is so great. Thank you for sharing. Just another reflection of how our Armed Services are making such a difference. Over a year ago there was a local police officer shot in our city. He was shot repeatedly while in his patrol car and left to die. Interesting enough, although he was a civilian, the hospital he was taken too called the military to come and do surgery on him because it was out of their doctor's realm of expertise and they knew his best chance of survival was to have more experience come in. They did and saved his life. A few days or a week later he was complaining about his arm pain. This too was badly shot up from him trying to protect himself and a police officer who visited him in the hospital mentioned this to a military doctor while he was at church. After hearing the police officer describe what the pain was the military doctor knew exactly what the problem was and went to speak with the doctors at the local hospital. Sure enough he was...
SSgt Carson, Alaska
 
5/6/2011 1:19:52 PM ET
Thank you to all our service members and their family. As a Navy wife I am very proud to stand by my country and my husband.
Pauline, Pensacola FL
 
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