For Immediate Release
May 7, 2010

AFA Recognizes Military Spouse Day

Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association (AFA) today highlighted “Military Spouse Appreciation Day,” as proclaimed by the President of the United States, in honor of the dedication and sacrifice that military spouses show alongside the nation’s service men and women.

First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, each year the Friday before Mother’s Day is highlighted in honor of the military spouses that balance families, careers and community involvement with the military service requirements on their families.

“Part of our chartered mission at AFA is to support the Air Force family. To us, that includes the spouses that in so many ways serve side-by-side with the men and women in uniform,” said Joe Sutter, Chairman of the Board for AFA. “We’re pleased that the quiet dedication of hundreds of thousands of military spouses is being recognized.”

“Most military spouses have great pride in our nation’s Armed Forces, but it can also be tough. We thank each of them for helping make our proud all-volunteer force stronger,” said Mike Dunn, President of AFA. “Military spouses often sacrifice their own careers, move repeatedly, and often can’t choose the community where they live. Their willingness to make those sacrifices enables the service of the men and women in uniform.”

AFA also works to shed light on military family issues through education and advocacy, and recently welcomed the start of the Congressional Military Families Caucus [Read more here: http://www.afa.org/media/press/mfc.asp] so that these important issues are considered in Defense legislation.

Read the Presidential Proclamation: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-military-spouse-appreciation-day

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The AFA is a 501(C)(3), nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 120,000 members. Visit AFA www.AFA.org.

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