Military Spouse Appreciation Day, 2012

Proclamation 8816 of May 11, 2012

Military Spouse Appreciation Day, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For more than two centuries, our freedom has been
safeguarded by brave patriots who have stepped forward
and sworn an oath to defend the principles upon which
our Republic was founded. Alongside these selfless
heroes, our Nation's military spouses also offer
tremendous service and make great sacrifices for our
country. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we
recognize the important role our military families play
in keeping our Armed Forces strong and our country
safe.

Our military spouses are a vital part of communities
across America and around the world. We know them as
our neighbors and friends, colleagues and coaches,
teachers and nurses. They move from duty station to
duty station, picking up their families and careers
whenever their country asks. They keep their households
running while dealing with the strain of deployment.
They support our wounded warriors, preserve the
legacies of our fallen, and find ways to give back to
our country day after day.

The strength and readiness of America's military
depends on the well-being of our military spouses and
families, and my Administration remains committed to
ensuring they have the support and resources they
deserve. Across Federal agencies, we have made major
investments in education and childcare for military
families, increased the availability of mortgage
assistance to military homeowners, and extended new
opportunities for veterans and their loved ones under
the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Inspired by the stories of our military spouses'
resilience and service, First Lady Michelle Obama and
Dr. Jill Biden launched the Joining Forces initiative
to encourage all Americans to recognize, honor, and
serve our military families. In only 1 year, Joining
Forces has rallied American businesses to hire tens of
thousands of veterans and military spouses, schools
have improved educational opportunities for military
children, and the medical community has vowed better
care for military families. And from small towns to big
cities, Americans have shown their gratitude by
pledging hours of service and taking on projects that
support military families in their communities. To
learn more and get involved, visit
www.JoiningForces.gov.

America's service members represent only one percent of
our population, but they shoulder the responsibility of
protecting our entire Nation and defending the ideals
we hold dear. Just as we bear a sacred obligation to
serve our men and women in uniform as well as they have
served us, we share an equal responsibility to care for
their extraordinary spouses who are heroes on the home
front. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us
honor the unparalleled contributions of our military
spouses and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the
priorities of our military families remain the
priorities of our Nation.

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 11, 2012, 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
eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.