[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9358 of October 29, 2015

Military Family Month, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Since our country's founding, brave members of our military have stood
strong as one American team, ready to defend our homeland and safeguard
the values for which we stand. They represent the best our Nation has to
offer, and serving alongside them are proud and loving family members--
heroes on the home front. Each day, they make sacrifices for their loved
ones and their country. They have answered their call of duty, and as a
Nation, we must answer ours and serve them as well as they have served
us. During Military Family Month, we pay tribute to and thank our
military families for their service to our country, and we recognize the
extraordinary ways in which they give of themselves for us all.
Our troops keep our Nation safe from threats here at home and around the
world, and our journey forward is not sustained by those in uniform
alone. The United States is stronger and safer thanks to the millions of
military family members who, in sacrificing cherished moments with their
loved ones, selflessly afford us precious time with ours. Demonstrating
the highest form of patriotism and persevering in the most demanding of
circumstances, some endure hard separations throughout multiple
deployments. Spouses press pause on their careers or strive to balance
work and family while their loved ones are away. The two million
children of service members work hard to keep up their studies and make
new friends, despite transferring school systems an average of 6 to 9
times. And following the homecoming ceremonies and celebrations, family
and friends stand beside our veterans, encouraging and uplifting them as
they face the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life.
My Administration is committed to translating our Nation's gratitude
into sustainable, meaningful support. This year, we continued the work
of providing our military families with tools and resources such as
relocation assistance, child care, and counseling services that help
families while their loved ones are serving. Additionally, through the
Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden
have made tremendous strides in connecting military spouses with
employment opportunities. Since Joining Forces was launched in 2011,
over 850,000 veterans and military spouses have secured gainful em

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ployment thanks to the initiative. All 50 States have now responded to
the First Lady and Dr. Biden's call to action to take steps to
streamline ways for service members and veterans to obtain civilian
credentials and licensure in their States. These collaborative efforts
have dramatically lowered veteran unemployment and have helped inspire
military families to continue pursuing their dreams and reaching for
their highest aspirations.
America endures because of the men, women, and families who serve and
sacrifice to defend our Nation and protect the ideals we hold dear. This
month, and in the months to come, let us show our enduring gratitude to
military families and their loved ones in uniform for contributing to
our Nation's legacy as a beacon of hope and liberty. Their courage
serves as a model of character and distinction, and their devotion to
our country must be met with the recognition it deserves.
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 2015 as
Military Family Month. I encourage all Americans to honor military
families through private actions and public service for the tremendous
contributions they make in support of our service members and our
Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA