Military Spouse Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Col. Robert L. Maness
  • 377th Air Base Wing commander
Kirtland Air Force Base --  Military service is a noble and honorable calling. Americans in uniform take on responsibilities that are unique to the profession of arms. Being married to someone
in our profession imposes a special burden on spouses. In addition to all the normal
stressors of everyday life, from jobs to school to kids, military spouses face the prospect of long separations while their spouses are deployed to combat zones.
Since its inception in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, Military Spouse Appreciation
Day, which is the Friday before Mother's Day each year, is a day set aside to recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of military spouses.
While we appreciate our spouses in our own way every day, Military Spouse Appreciation
Day is set aside to ensure that we officially recognize everything they do for us 365 days a year.
Military spouses represent an extraordinary group of individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common bond -- love of and life with a military member.
And, although they never took an oath to serve, they serve our nation everyday with the support and strength they give to us. Many of our spouses go above and beyond by volunteering their time throughout the base at the Thrift Shop, Airman and Family
Readiness Center Programs, and the hospital, reaching out and helping other Airmen
and their families on base. Many of our programs are only possible because our spouses volunteer to keep them going. For that, we are extremely grateful.
Our Airmen and Family Readiness Center will have a celebration later this year to recognize the contributions and support by all our spouses. As a small token of appreciation, senior leaders and chiefs will be at the commissary, Base Exchange,
and Wyoming and Gibson Gates Saturday passing out carnations to each spouse.
To our military spouses on Team Kirtland, thanks for all you have done and for
what you continue to do -- we cannot do our jobs without your support, dedication, care, and selflessness.