Military Spouses Appreciation Day

This was written by the Chief of Naval Operations and I could not have said it better myself- to all my fellow Military Spouses - YOU ROCK! 


AS WE OBSERVE MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY ON 11 MAY
THIS YEAR, WE HONOR THE MILITARY SPOUSES WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SERVED
ALONGSIDE THEIR ACTIVE-DUTY HUSBANDS AND WIVES.  THEY KEEP OUR
FAMILIES "ON COURSE AND SPEED," AND THEIR SUPPORT ENABLES US TO FOCUS
ON THE MISSION AT HAND - TO BE READY AND TO OPERATE FORWARD AROUND
THE WORLD.  BY THEIR DEVOTION AND STRENGTH, WE REMAIN THE GREATEST NAVY
THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN.


ON MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEMANDS
ON OUR FAMILIES.  THERE IS AN INSCRIPTION ON ONE OF THE 26 BRONZE RELIEF
SCULPTURES AT THE NAVY MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC THAT ACCURATELY
STATES:  "THE NAVY FAMILY:  THEY WHO WAIT ALSO SERVE."  WE ALL KNOW
THAT WHEN SAILORS GO TO SEA, THE CHALLENGES AT HOME CONTINUE, AND OUR
MILITARY SPOUSES BEAR THE BURDEN EACH DAY IN SUPPORT OF THEIR LOVED
ONES AND IN SERVICE TO THEIR NATION.  WE THANK OUR HUSBANDS AND WIVES
FOR THEIR CONSTANT PATIENCE AND STEADFAST UNDERSTANDING AS THEY OFTEN
FACE THE CHALLENGES AT HOME OR CELEBRATE LIFE EVENTS WITHOUT US.
THOUGH THEY MAY NOT WEAR THE UNIFORM - IT IS THEIR HONOR, COURAGE,
AND COMMITMENT THAT SUSTAINS US.


PLEASE TAKE THE TIME ON 11 MAY TO SHOW OUR SPOUSES HOW MUCH WE
APPRECIATE THEM.  THAT SPECIAL DAY SYMBOLIZES THE HONOR AND RESPECT
WE HOLD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR OUR SPOUSES AND THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS
THEY MAKE EACH DAY TO OUR NAVY AND OUR NATION.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE.