WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced bipartisan legislation commemorating Friday, May 11, 2018, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day to honor the dedication, patriotism, and sacrifice of military spouses who support the men and women in the Armed Forces.

“Military spouses make vast personal and professional sacrifices in support of their families and our nation that too often go unnoticed,” said Senator Tillis, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. “On Military Spouse Appreciation Day and every day, we owe them a debt of gratitude for their role in the lives of our men and women in uniform.”

“For as long as men and women have served our nation in uniform, military spouses and families have courageously stood alongside them,” said Senator Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Their love, support and patriotism keep our nation strong and ensures our troops have the support they need to keep this nation safe. They are a firm foundation when their loved ones deploy, move between military bases, and transition back to civilian life.”

The senators’ resolution can be read in full online HERE and below:

Designating May 11, 2018, as ‘Military Spouse Appreciation Day’.

Whereas the month of May marks ‘National Military Appreciation Month’;

Whereas the Senate recognizes military spouses’ dedication of a lifetime of love, support and patriotism that helps make the service and sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed Forces possible;

Whereas military spouses have been separated from loved ones because of the duty of our Armed Forces to protect our nation and its interests through deployment in support of overseas contingency operations and other military missions;

Whereas the establishment of ‘Military Spouse Appreciation Day’ honors the dedication and contributions of spouses of members of the Armed Forces; and

Whereas May 11, 2018, would be an appropriate date to establish as ‘Military Spouse Appreciation Day’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates May 11, 2018, as ‘Military Spouse Appreciation Day’:

(2) honors and recognizes the dedication and contributions made by spouses of members of the Armed Forces; and

(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe `Military Spouse Appreciation Day' to promote awareness of the dedication and contributions of spouses of members of the Armed Forces and the importance of the role of military spouses in the lives of members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

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