Dear Military Spouses,
I'm proud to come from a military family. My husband is an A-10 pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq and continues to serve in the Air National Guard.
Too often, the sacrifices of America's military families go unrecognized. Today, I am pleased to join you in commemorating Military Spouse Appreciation Day - and to be counted among the 1.1 million husbands and wives of Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve service members.
I personally understand the sacrifices our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen-and their families-make to keep us safe. While my husband was deployed to Iraq, I remember worrying for his safety and praying for his safe return. The day he returned home was one of the happiest days of my life.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day provides an opportunity to remember the men and women who support our service members. We owe our troops a debt of gratitude we will never be able to fully repay. We must not forget the family members whose love, support, and sacrifice enable our service members to keep us safe.
In this tenth year of war, we especially honor those spouses who have endured deployments-worrying about their spouse's safety, staring at empty chairs at dinner, and temporarily rai sing their children alone.
My grandfather is a World War II veteran, and he comes from what is rightfully known as the "greatest generation." Today's service members-many of w hom have spent several years in Iraq or Afghanistan away from theil' loved oneshave demonstrated the same courage and self-sacrifice as my grandfather's generation. This sort of service would not be possible without the faithful and loving support you provide your service member.
As a military spouse and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I thank and recognize each and every military spouse. The support you provide to your service member is invaluable and essential to our national securi ty, and I am proud to share this special day with you. May God bless you, your spouse, and our country.
Sincerely,
Kelly A. Ayotte
U.S. Senator
Related Links:
U.S. Army Installation Management Command
Military spouse Appreciation Day
Presidential proclamation of Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Social Sharing