Military Spouse Appreciation Day
This MARADMIN recognizes and honors military spouses on Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It acknowledges the vital contributions of over 78,000 Marine Corps spouses who endure long separations, manage families, and support their Marines, emphasizing that family readiness is essential to mission readiness and retention.
Issued: May 7, 2004
1. PURPOSE. TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MILITARY SPOUSES ON "MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY." 2. BACKGROUND. THERE ARE OVER 78,000 SPOUSES IN THE MARINE CORPS FAMILY, AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS VITAL TO MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT. MARINES HAVE TOUGH DUTY, HOWEVER, OUR SPOUSES' DUTY IS EQUALLY TOUGH. MARINE SPOUSES ENDURE LONG SEPARATIONS OFTEN FRAUGHT WITH ANXIETY AND WORRY, WHILE CONTINUING TO PARENT CHILDREN, PAY BILLS, AND SUPPORT THEIR MARINE. THE MARINE CORPS HAS LONG KNOWN THAT FAMILY READINESS LEADS TO MISSION READINESS AND RETENTION. SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 THE DEMANDS ON OUR MARINES, AND THEIR LOVING SPOUSES, HAVE ONLY INCREASED. THIS PACE WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEAR TERM, THUS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT TO REFLECT ON MILITARY SPOUSES -- THEY TRULY DESERVE A SPECIAL DAY OF RECOGNITION. SIMPLY PUT, WE COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT THEM. 3. GENERAL HAGEE SENDS.