[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8816--MAY 11, 2012

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


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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.
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.
BARACK OBAMA