Thursday May 11, 2017
What is it?
The Army will celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 12, 2017 and recognize Army spouses for their tremendous loyalty, strength, and commitment to Soldiers and today’s Army.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day as part of the National Military Appreciation Month is an annual observance. This day is an opportunity for the Army to reaffirm its unwavering support to Army spouses for their contributions to readiness.
On May 23, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued the first Military Spouse Day proclamation. The proclamation recognized the profound importance of a military spouse’s commitment to the readiness and well-being of Service members. The Secretary of Defense later standardized the date by declaring the Friday before Mother’s Day as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. In 1999, Congress made Military Spouse Appreciation Day a part of National Military Appreciation Month.
What is the Army doing?
The Army recognizes and appreciates the positive effect spouses have on the Soldiers and the Army.
The Army will promote Military Spouse Appreciation Day through a variety of programs and special events to celebrate military spouses.
Additionally, Army organizations will execute Military Spouse Appreciation Day communication efforts and activities to show appreciation to Army spouses and to stress their importance to a strong and ready Army.
The Army is indebted to spouses for their care and unwavering support to the Army, including the Gold Star spouses and spouses of wounded warriors. Gold Star spouses are influential members of the military communities, and the Army remains committed to supporting them through programs including Army Survivor Outreach Services.
What continued efforts are planned for the future?
The Army reinforces the Total Army Strong commitment to spouses through Soldier and Family programs, youth services, child care, and spouse education and employment opportunities.
Why is this important to the Army?
Army Spouses are an important part of the Army Family and contribute to readiness by enabling Soldiers to remain focused on their missions. For more than 241 years, spouses have supported Soldiers on the field and on the home front.
Army spouses are vital to the strength, resilience, and readiness of the Soldiers and military communities. They are actively engaged in the local communities while helping the Soldiers serve, reintegrate, and remain strong.
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