Military Family Month, 2013

Proclamation 9048 of October 31, 2013

Military Family Month, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout our Nation's history, an unbroken chain of
patriots has strengthened us in times of peace and
defended us in times of war. Yet the courageous men and
women of the United States military do not serve alone.
Standing alongside them are husbands and wives, parents
and children, sisters and brothers. During Military
Family Month, we celebrate the families who make daily
sacrifices to keep our Nation whole, and we remember a
most sacred obligation--to serve them as well as they
serve us.

Military families exemplify the courage and resolve
that define our national character. For their country
and their loved ones, they rise to the challenges of
multiple deployments and frequent moves--spouses who
care and provide for children in their partners'
absence, kids who make new friends and leave known
comforts behind. They are the force behind the force,
patriots who support their family members in uniform
while enriching the communities they call home.

While our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast
Guardsmen are defending the country they love, their
country must provide for the families they love.
Through First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's
Joining Forces initiative, my Administration has worked
tirelessly to engage American citizens and businesses
in this cause. Joining Forces encourages the private
sector to hire veterans and military spouses, helps
schools become more responsive to military children's
needs, and expands access to wellness and education
programs for military families. Since the initiative
began in 2011, businesses have hired and trained more
than 290,000 veterans and military spouses. My
Administration is also taking action to improve mental
health care and education for veterans, service
members, and their families. Last year, I signed an
Executive Order directing the Federal Government to
increase access to these vital services. And this year,
as a result of the Supreme Court decision striking down
Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, the
Department of Defense moved swiftly to extend benefits
to legally married same-sex couples.

Time and again, our service members and their families
have sacrificed to protect the promise that defines our
Nation--life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As
we work to repay this enormous debt of gratitude, I
encourage every American to do their part. Together,
let us support our military children as they learn,
grow, and live their dreams. And let us keep our
military families strong and secure.

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 November 2013 as
Military Family Month. I call on all Americans to honor
military families through private actions and public
service for the tremendous contributions they make in
the support of our service members and our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of October in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.