Friday, May 12th, 2023 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, a holiday honoring husbands, wives and partners of service members. This annual event occurs each May on the Friday before Mother’s Day and was first recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
He detailed in this proclamation the sacrifices military spouses make for their families, communities and country.
“In many instances, they subordinated their personal and professional aspirations to the greater benefit of the service family. Responding to the call of duty, they frequently endured long periods of separation or left familiar surroundings and friends to re-establish their homes in distant places. And there they became American ambassadors abroad.
As volunteers, military spouses have provided exemplary service and leadership in educational, community, recreational, religious, social and cultural endeavors. And as parents and homemakers, they preserve the cornerstone of our Nation’s strength – the American family.”
Military spouses are our services’ unsung heroes. But you can show them gratitude on this holiday – and year-round – by supporting organizations like these.
- Blue Star Families help military spouses find peer support, jobs, financial help and food assistance for their families.
- The Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is a targeted recruitment and employment partnership with hundreds of employers committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses.
- The USO offers a number of Military Spouse programs and workshops, and their Coffee Connections plans to bring 10,000 spouses together this year.
- Hiring our Heroes provides in-person and virtual hiring events and workshops for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.
- American Corporate Partners (ACP) help veterans and military spouses develop their careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online employment advice.
- Military One Source has online consultants, resources and articles to help military spouses with their careers, education, self-care and relationships.
- The Military Spouse Resource Collection from Military Spouse magazine offers tools and tips to help guide spouses for each step in the military life cycle and the military-to-civilian transition.
