Presidential Documents

22417 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 91 

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8375 of May 8, 2009 

Military Spouse Day, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Military spouses share the sacrifices of service with our Nation’s men and 

women in uniform. As members of the Armed Forces serve in the United 

States and across the world, military spouses also serve our Nation. When 

a servicemember goes to war, we know their spouse also shares in that 

sacrifice. I am inspired by their commitment to family and our Nation, 

and on Military Spouse Day, we honor these individuals for their contributions. 

Wives and husbands of servicemembers display an uncommon courage and 

strength as they steadfastly support their spouses during long and arduous 

deployments. While they endure separations that are filled with worry and 

anxiety, they face unique stresses. Foremost is the concern about the safety 

and well-being of deployed loved ones, but there are many other challenges. 

From managing household finances to comforting children impacted by a 

military parent’s absence, military spouses take on the burdens of maintaining 

families largely on their own. This task is complicated even more as spouses 

work to maintain careers and a sense of community while moving to new 

duty stations around the country and the world. 

Despite these hardships, military spouses are an inexhaustible source of 

strength for our military families and donate their time generously to local 

communities. Military spouses offer the love and encouragement that help 

servicemembers endure the challenges of serving our Nation. Military spouses 

support one another as friends and mentors. They serve in family readiness 

groups to keep fellow spouses informed and to provide mutual support. 

They contribute as volunteers to improve neighborhoods, military installations, and communities. These contributions strengthen both our Nation’s 

character and its security. 

All Americans should express appreciation for military spouses and let 

them know they are not alone. To help those who need it, friends, coworkers, and neighbors can offer to help with the burden of daily tasks 

and thus give military spouses more time for themselves and their families. 

To assist spouses who are coping with the absence of a loved one, individuals 

can listen and offer their counsel. Americans can also volunteer through 

the many organizations that provide assistance to military families. 

Our Nation maintains a sacred trust with every individual who serves. 

My Administration is committed to showing our Nation’s gratitude for them 

by honoring our obligations to their families. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2009, as Military 

Spouse Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military 

spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities today and in the future. 

22418 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 91 / Wednesday, May 13, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day 

of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. 

[FR Doc. E9–11313 

Filed 5–12–09; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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