GROTON, Conn. - With today's on-going war on terrorism, many people pay tribute and give thanks to the brave men and women in uniform who go into harms way to defend the rights and freedoms of our great nation. But there is another brave group who seldom receive the appreciation they deserve for the sacrifices they make every day: our nation's military spouses.
Friday, May 8, is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and is dedicated to honoring the spouses who keep the home fires burning while their significant others serve.
"While service members are deployed, concerns at home don't stop. Bills still need to get paid, repairs need to get done, and children still need to be cared for," said Naval Submarine Base New London Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Director, Barbara Ross. "Spouses and significant others take on these tasks, most without any complaint."
In honor of this silent service by military spouses, President Ronald Regan, in 1984, proclaimed that the Friday before Mother's Day would be observed as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
"[Military Spouses] proudly and bravely overcome obstacles in their way and continue to endure," commended Ross. "They remain strong and proudly hold their heads up high, in the face of being bombarded in the media with video and photos of the jobs their spouses are doing, many directly in the line of fire."
Many resources that can assist and support military spouses while their loved ones serve can be found at the FFSC.
The Center provides such offerings as financial information and counseling, classes on spousal deployment, and help from others that are or have been married to the military.
Military spouses connect through the Center and are there for each other, holding the hand of the younger, newer spouses and helping them through the challenges.
For more information on how the FFSC can help spouses while their loved ones are away, contact the Groton Center at (860) 694-3383 or visit it in Building 83 at SUBASE's Dealey Center Plaza.