Military Spouse Appreciation Day...

If the military had wanted you to have a spouse, they would have
issued you one." Remember those words? Well, that was then and this
is now. America's military has realized and acknowledged the
significance of the military spouse. In 1984 President Reagan
proclaimed the Friday before Mother's Day of each year to be
Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It is your day to stand up and be
honored.

For the times you've stood and watched a ship sail from the harbor,
an aircraft disappear into the clouds, or a truck convoy pull out of
sight, not sure when they would return, we thank you.

For the countless household moves you've made from a place you know
to one that's strange and different -- often by yourself -- we thank
you.

For the families you've held together, for the anniversaries,
birthdays, and holidays you've celebrated alone, we thank you.

For the hand you've extended to another military spouse when the
need was there, truly creating a military family, we thank you.

For the spirit and strength you've shown when your service member
has gone into harm's way, we thank you.

For the pride you've displayed while serving as an ambassador of the
military spouse to the rest of the world, we thank you.

Far too frequently, the sacrifices and dedication of the military
spouse have gone unnoticed and unappreciated. In our nation's recent
history, thousands of service members have been placed in harm's way
as they stood watch as freedom's guardian. You too have stood watch
at home, facing challenges alone. You have waved flags and held
banners high to express your support. You have kept the candles
burning on the home front as a reminder of our deployed military.

You have made difficult sacrifices of your own, and have called upon
your inner reserves to nurture family life so your service member
can focus on the business at hand.

Even in times of relaxed alert status for our military, you have
stood ready and alert for the slightest of signs, perhaps overlooked
or ignored by your civilian counterparts, signaling a potential
change in the status of our military forces. As a military spouse,
you have willingly packed up and relocated countless times, and may
have been separated from your own parents and siblings for several
years at a time.

Quite often, you have been placed in an unfamiliar ethnic or
cultural setting, or a remote location. You have met this challenge
with confidence and pride, making your nation proud of you. By the
same token, you have extended your hand and hospitality to visitors
to our country.

A country cannot count itself strong by its armed services alone,
but must also depend on its civilians. With military wives and
husbands setting a superior example through devotion, courage, and
commitment, we are a nation of strength.

Military spouses; stand tall, stand proud; we salute you, you are
truly our unsung heroes.