[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28759-28760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11991]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 16, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 28759]]


                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.

[[Page 28760]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-11991
Filed 5-15-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P