FORT GORDON, Ga. (May 15, 2015) - Fort Gordon celebrated National Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 8 at the U.S. Army Reserve Center. The event was the grand finale of a week filled with activities to express appreciation for the service and support of military spouses.
In 1984 President Ronald Reagan recognized the profound importance of spousal commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members with Proclamation 5184. Congress officially made Military Spouse Appreciation Day part of National Military Appreciation Month in 1999. The Department of Defense permanently set the date by declaring the Friday before Mother's Day every year as Military Spouse Appreciation Day to show appreciation for the sacrifices of military spouses.
"Spouses truly are the strength of our service members," said Shawn Williams, the Army Community Service project officer. The success of our military is largely due to the support received from the families. We cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices they make, the challenges they endure and the flexibility they demonstrate. We show our appreciation by allowing them some "down time", to have fun, to be pampered, to fellowship and of course - to eat together. We owe them that. I hope they felt love."
According to Williams, 250 spouses attended the event, many with their children, and few were joined by their military spouse.
Each spouses received a carnation and complimentary gift. Many spouses signed up and received mini-facials, hand massages, hair styled, massages and makeovers from staff from the Halo Salon and Spa of Augusta, who came out the Army Reserve Center.
" This is awesome. I appreciate all the effort put in to this day," said military spouse Jenny Prim. "This is my first facial and it's wonderful."
Other spouses visited the information tables set up in the large drill hall and a class room where representatives from Humana, Tupperware, Thirty-One Bags and Blessings, University of Phoenix, Jamberry, Army Community Service, University of Phoenix, Operation Homefront, Fort Gordon Spouses and Civilian Club, Fort Gordon Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Balfour Beatty Communities, Mary Kay Cosmetics, the Army Wellness Center and TRICARE answered the spouses' questions.
Two of the spouses, Ramona Smith and Imelda Mumoz, who were joined by their young children, have a special bond.
"We met at the National Military Spouse Appreciation Day two years ago and we have been best friends since," Ramona Smith said.
Throughout the event door prizes were given away.
The Fort Gordon Garrison commander, Col. Samuel Anderson, addressed the spouses and expressed his appreciation for their service to the nation.
"I appreciate what you do to make the military better," Anderson said.
He went on to talked about his personal experience. "There were tough times at home while I was gone (deployed)," Anderson said. "My youngest daughter developed some pretty serious medical issues that resulted in several surgeries."
"I know that my wife, who is here today, had to deal with all of that," he explained. "She had to manage the household, the family and by the way I was in command at the time and had to use the Family Readiness Group, while our military was deployed."
"I know everyone in here has had a similar experience," Anderson said. "The average American citizen has no comprehension of the sacrifices that you make. They cannot comprehend all the services you do. I personally want to thank you for your service. This nation cannot fight and win the nation's wars without your service, your sacrifices, and the things you do to make your local community better."
The commander was joined by Sharon Fogarty, the wife of Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon commanding general, in presenting four special recognition awards.
Nicole Hiles, received recognition as the youngest spouses in attendance; Theresa Covington, the oldest spouse; Serene Hammond, the most seasoned with 25 years or more of active duty involvement with the Army; and Christine Heffner, the newest spouse, who is married six months or less.
The four awardees joined Anderson and Fogarty in cutting the ceremonial cake.
Brandon Cummingham, owner of Three-B Fitness Center in Augusta, and Cornelia (Cocoa) Ryan, the manager of the center, introduced the spouses to Cross Fit. Spouses Nicole Wilken, Jessica Sheridan, and Pamela Edwards volunteered and demonstrated how to do Tabata squats
The spouses and their children received a catered luncheon followed by Zumba lead by Alfred Jones III of Augusta. Georgia.
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