[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 66607-66608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26668]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 214 / Tuesday, November 5, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 66607]]


                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.

[[Page 66608]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-26668
Filed 11-4-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F4