[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8669 of May 5, 2011

Military Spouse Appreciation Day, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes
in uniform who protect and defend our great Nation every day. Across
America and around the world, military spouses serve our country in
their own special way, helping families and friends through the stress
of a deployment, caring for our wounded warriors, and supporting each
other when a loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice.
Our service members and their families seldom ask for support or
recognition. They carry out their duties to family and country with the
quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American
spirit. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to
not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also
thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed.
When a member of our Armed Forces is deployed, an entire family is
called to serve. The readiness of our troops depends on the readiness of
our military families, as millions of parents, children, and loved ones
sacrifice as well. This means supporting our military spouses is also a
national security imperative. Earlier this year, my Administration
released the report on military families, Strengthening our Military
Families: Meeting America's Commitment, which marshaled resources from
across our Government to identify new opportunities to support these
patriots.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are working tirelessly to
enlist all sectors of American life to address the unique challenges of
military families. Their national initiative, ``Joining Forces,''
mobilizes Americans to give our service members and their families the
opportunities and support they have earned. Americans can find service
projects, send messages of thanks to military families, and learn more
about this initiative by visiting: www.JoiningForces.gov.
On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us join together to show our
service members we are taking care of their families back home as they
serve our Nation across the globe. As neighbors, teachers, parents, and
fellow citizens, we can reach out to military husbands and wives in our
communities. We can show our appreciation in countless ways, from
offering to help with household maintenance and childcare to en

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couraging the community involvement and career development of military
spouses.
It is through our actions that we show our commitment to our service
members and their spouses. By embracing military families, we
demonstrate our partnership in the defense of our freedom and the
security of the United States.
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 6, 2011, as
Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United
States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and
activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA