Military Community to Celebrate Military Spouse Day May 7

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Military Community to Celebrate Military Spouse Day May 7

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2004 — U.S. military installations worldwide will host a
wide range of activities — from receptions to workshops to "pampering parties"
-- in observance of Military Spouse Day, May 7.

Military Spouse Day was first celebrated in 1984 when then-President Ronald
Reagan proclaimed the observance to honor the contributions of military
spouses. The military now sets aside the Friday before Mother's Day each year
to pay tribute to the spouses who play a vital role in the nation's defense.

But Defense Department leaders say recognizing Military Spouse Day is
particularly important this year, when thousands of spouses tend the homefront
while their service members are deployed in support of the war on terror.

"Military Spouse Day is just one day of the year in which we stop to recognize
the immeasurable contribution our spouses make to the true readiness of the
force," said John Molino, deputy undersecretary of defense for military
community and family policy.

"We are constantly aware that the stability of the military family and our
military communities is attributable, in large part, to the self-sacrifice and
dedication of our military spouses," Molino said. "As they strive daily to keep
the homefront strong, these capable and committed spouses are a vital part of
winning the global war on terrorism."

Vice Adm. Gerry Hoewing, chief of Naval Personnel, called military spouses "the
heroes behind the scenes," who he said often find themselves "forgoing personal
and professional aspirations, enduring long periods of separation, and
willingly moving to foreign countries to become front-line American
ambassadors.

"They demonstrate daily an unwavering loyalty to both family and nation and
deserve our heartfelt thanks," Hoewing continued. "I shudder to think where our
Navy would be without their support."

Retired Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Michael P. Downs, director of the Marine Corps'
Personal and Family Readiness Division, said there's no doubt that Marines
carry out a tough duty, "but it is often overlooked that Marine Corps spouses
have a tough duty, too." These spouses, he said, "endure long separations often
fraught with anxiety and worry, all the while continuing to parent children,
pay the bills and support their Marine."

Downs said the Marine Corps has long known that family readiness leads to
mission readiness and retention. "These spouses make great sacrifices in
support of their Marines and the Marine Corps, and deserve this special day of
appreciation," he said. "Simply put, we couldn't do it without them."

Lt. Gen. Richard E. Brown III, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for
personnel, called military spouses "a vital link to the success of our
military" and praised military spouses for their tremendous contribution to the
force's quality of life.

"Our spouses serve our nation just as we in uniform serve," he said, calling
the wide range of activities planned Air Force-wide on May 7 an important time
to express appreciation. "As we pause on Military Spouse Day to recognize the
contributions, sacrifices, and extraordinary efforts of our spouses, the Air
Force renders a very heartfelt 'thank you' to each of them," Brown said.

Col. Yvonne Tucker-Harris, deputy director of Army Family Programs, agreed that
spouses "have always played a pivotal role in the readiness of our force" — a
role she acknowledged has often gone unrecognized.

She called Military Spouse Day "an opportunity for the services to salute the
"unsung heroes in our military families" for their "unparalleled support" in
fulfilling the military mission. "We appreciate so much their sacrifices and
keeping the family intact when we are not available because of mission
requirements," she said.

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