The United States government has designated Friday, May 10, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day, a day to recognize the contributions and sacrifices military spouses make in service to the nation.
Introduced by Ronald Reagan in 1984, Military Spouse Appreciation Day was formally adopted by Congress in 1999 to celebrate military spouses. The day typically lands on the Friday before Mother’s Day each year.
The frequent relocations are especially disruptive to families and spouses’ careers. Today, these inconvenient moves come alongside record-low housing supply and sky-high rental costs. And while remote work and military spouse hiring initiatives have been a game-changer for some, there’s a long way to go to improve the dismal 21% military spouse unemployment rate and even higher underemployment among military spouses.
Beyond statistics are hidden sacrifices that are difficult to quantify. Military spouses orchestrate the ongoing logistics of cross country and overseas moves, sometimes with little notice. They parent alone for months at a time, often far away from extended family. They quit beloved jobs and shelve their career aspirations when orders declare it’s time to relocate. Some military spouses give birth without their partner present, solo-caring for a newborn for months until homecoming.
Adding to the heavy load, spouses watch partners and friends return from war and trainings with permanent injuries and psychological scars. And some never return. When service members make the ultimate sacrifice, a network of spouses provide crucial support to Gold Star families, delivering meals and volunteering to help however they can during those first heartbreaking months and beyond.
The sacrifices endured by military spouses, both professionally and psychologically, are deep and real and lasting. Whether you know us or not, your help can make a difference not only on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, but all year round.
