[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22417-22418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11313]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 91 / Wednesday, May 13, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 22417]]

                Proclamation 8375 of May 8, 2009

                
Military Spouse Day, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 Military spouses share the sacrifices of service with 
                our Nation's men and women in uniform. As members of 
                the Armed Forces serve in the United States and across 
                the world, military spouses also serve our Nation. When 
                a servicemember goes to war, we know their spouse also 
                shares in that sacrifice. I am inspired by their 
                commitment to family and our Nation, and on Military 
                Spouse Day, we honor these individuals for their 
                contributions.

                 Wives and husbands of servicemembers display an 
                uncommon courage and strength as they steadfastly 
                support their spouses during long and arduous 
                deployments. While they endure separations that are 
                filled with worry and anxiety, they face unique 
                stresses. Foremost is the concern about the safety and 
                well-being of deployed loved ones, but there are many 
                other challenges. From managing household finances to 
                comforting children impacted by a military parent's 
                absence, military spouses take on the burdens of 
                maintaining families largely on their own. This task is 
                complicated even more as spouses work to maintain 
                careers and a sense of community while moving to new 
                duty stations around the country and the world.

                Despite these hardships, military spouses are an 
                inexhaustible source of strength for our military 
                families and donate their time generously to local 
                communities. Military spouses offer the love and 
                encouragement that help servicemembers endure the 
                challenges of serving our Nation. Military spouses 
                support one another as friends and mentors. They serve 
                in family readiness groups to keep fellow spouses 
                informed and to provide mutual support. They contribute 
                as volunteers to improve neighborhoods, military 
                installations, and communities. These contributions 
                strengthen both our Nation's character and its 
                security.

                 All Americans should express appreciation for military 
                spouses and let them know they are not alone. To help 
                those who need it, friends, co-workers, and neighbors 
                can offer to help with the burden of daily tasks and 
                thus give military spouses more time for themselves and 
                their families. To assist spouses who are coping with 
                the absence of a loved one, individuals can listen and 
                offer their counsel. Americans can also volunteer 
                through the many organizations that provide assistance 
                to military families.

                 Our Nation maintains a sacred trust with every 
                individual who serves. My Administration is committed 
                to showing our Nation's gratitude for them by honoring 
                our obligations to their families.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2009, as Military 
                Spouse Day. I call upon the people of the United States 
                to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies 
                and activities today and in the future.

[[Page 22418]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                nine, and of the Independence of the United States of 
                America the two hundred and thirty-third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-11313
Filed 5-12-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P