‘Joining Forces’ Mother’s Day Card Honors Military Spouses

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2012 – The ‘Joining Forces’ campaign today issued a special Mother’s Day card that thanks the nation’s military spouses.

The card, which is available for view on the White House’s Web site, notes that 1.2 million military spouses “are out there making sacrifices for their families -- and the country.”

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched the ‘Joining Forces’ campaign a year ago to support and honor America’s service members and their families.

President Barack Obama issued a May 11 proclamation declaring that day Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

And Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey both issued messages thanking military spouses for their contributions and service to the nation.

“America’s military spouses are a key part of what makes our armed services the strongest in the world,” Panetta said in a May 11 message. “All Americans should be grateful for the support they offer to our heroes in uniform."

"The love and encouragement our service members get from their spouses helps our military to fulfill its mission of protecting this country,” the secretary added.

Panetta also expressed his gratitude “to all mothers and grandmothers in our military family.”

Mother’s Day, the secretary added, is “a day to celebrate the extraordinary importance of mothers in our lives and the lives of this nation.”