Friday Afternoon, May 10, 2024

SPECIAL MILITARY SPOUSE

APPRECIATION DAY EDITION

MRFF SALUTES ALL MILITARY SPOUSES

ON MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY,

ONE OF SIX SIGNIFICANT DAYS IN THE

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH OF MAY

The month of May is designated by Congress as

Military Appreciation Month, with six significant days

honoring our men and women in uniform and their families.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 10 this year) is the Friday before Mother’s Day and honors military spouses, recognizing their contributions, support, and sacrifices as well as the role of

military families in keeping our military strong and ready.

(The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual

information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.)

A Military Spouse and MRFF Base Representative’s

thoughts on Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Friday, May 10, 2024

Hello. I am the military spouse of an active duty (military branch name withheld) officer. I have also been the lead representative for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) here at (name of large military installation withheld) for a number of years now. 

I just wanted to say, in recognition of "Military Spouse Appreciation Day” today, that having a special day set aside each year to recognize us means so much to all military spouses. All of us do our level best to serve as equal partners to our spouses, who wear the uniform, in a myriad of ways. 

One thing I wanted to emphasize is the following: 

My important role with MRFF to help fight against unconstitutional, religious extremism and intolerance in our armed forces often has me working not just with the affected active duty military members/MRFF clients who have trustingly come to MRFF for help but, indeed, their whole families. I get the rare opportunity to help other military spouses in these matters and I can absolutely attest to the critical importance these military spouses provide to the overall stabilization of their families and, in particular, their active duty spouses during the difficult ordeals MRFF is helping them navigate through. 

I treasure the times I can help MRFF guide these military families to stand up, fight and win against the brutal intolerance they confront mostly from fundamentalist Christian nationalism being levied upon them by their own chain of command.

I love my military spouse and our children and I love my job as being the head MRFF Rep for (military installation name withheld)!

From a long-time MRFF supporter, MRFF client,

former Army chaplain, and Military Spouse

Friday, May 10, 2024

Every leader of an organization stands on the scaffolding on a robust network usually founded on a robust and diverse foundation. In the military, I believe that foundational force are military spouses. 

Reflecting on my experiences as a West Point cadet and graduate, I've witnessed firsthand the remarkable support provided by military spouses. They've been instrumental in mentorship, often stepping in ways that extend far beyond the confines of a job description. Whether it's accompanying a soldier to a medical appointment, facilitating Red Cross messages, or providing unwavering support to families of deployed service members, their impact is profound and indispensable. Most important, military spouses speak truth to power as their courage overcomes any fear that active duty may have of retribution.

During my tenure as a Protestant military chaplain, I leaned heavily on the strength and resilience of military spouses, particularly during times of tragedy.  I remember a young soldier killed in a car accident.  The spouse of the platoon sergeant helped the family over the next year commemorate a scholarship in his name and the dedication of a post office is his name.  During the height of the Global War of Terror, military spouses championed the true mission of compassion and care and their dedication didn't waver, extending not only in the immediate aftermath but also in the weeks and months that followed. They anticipated needs, nurtured the unit, while seamlessly integrating incoming spouses into the community.

And then, I became a military spouse myself! Transitioning from active duty to civilian life presented its own set of challenges, and in navigating this journey, I found solace and support among fellow military spouses. Their understanding of the unique trials and triumphs of military life is unparalleled. I firmly believe that military spouses carry one of the most demanding roles on Earth, and their resilience, adaptability, and unwavering support deserve our utmost appreciation and recognition.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) and military spouses are powerful allies against those who misuse sacred Scriptures to exclude or judge others for their own gain. They play crucial roles in maintaining the strength of our military and upholding our democracy and Constitution.

On this Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us honor and celebrate all military spouses, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. Their contributions are the foundation upon which our military community thrives, and their sacrifices echo in the legacy of our nation's service.

May is Military Appreciation Month —

MRFF Board Member John Compere explains the

six significant dates in this month designated by

Congress to honor our men and women in uniform

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The United States Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to provide a grateful nation the opportunity to publicly demonstrate appreciation for the service and sacrifice made by our current and former military members, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom.

Military Appreciation Month for 2024 includes observances of Loyalty Day, Victory in Europe Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Children of Fallen Patriots Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.

Loyalty Day (May 1) kicks off this month of military appreciation by reaffirming our national loyalty and reflecting on the proud heritage of our constitutional democracy and individual freedoms. All military members, upon entering military service, take the sworn loyalty oath to support, defend and bear true faith and allegiance to our United States Constitution. It is the affirmation we are one nation under the Constitution and it is the Constitution in which we must trust. We were the first nation independently established by and for “We the People” (Constitution Preamble) with no acknowledgment in the secular Constitution of any other authority (emperor, monarch, dictator, deity, religion, scripture, etc).

Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day (May 8) celebrates the day in 1945 when Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies marking the end of World War II, Hitler, Nazi fascism and the Holocaust genocide in Europe.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 10) is the Friday before Mother’s Day and honors military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities recognizing their contributions, support and sacrifices as well as the role of military families in keeping our military strong and ready.

Children of Fallen Patriots Day (May 13) remembers and acknowledges the children left behind by our fallen military members and the suffering and struggle they have to endure as a result of the death of their parents.

Armed Forces Day (May 18) recognizes the men and women in the active, reserve and national guard components of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force. It traditionally concludes Armed Forces Week and is a special day of appreciation for those serving, their families and the communities supporting them. It is also a reminder of the military’s importance and the critical role it plays in our independence, freedom and security. There are 1,335,548 active duty members and 793,808 reserve and guard members. 167,206 are deployed worldwide in 70 foreign countries. These are the military men and women currently serving in their uniform.

Memorial Day (May 27) is our national holiday for remembering the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the military service of this country to preserve the freedoms we have as Americans. It memorializes our patriotic military members who gave their lives serving this country. The National Moment of Remembrance Act requests that we pause at 3pm for one minute as an act of national unity to remember our fallen military heroes. Approximately 1,355,000 have perished fighting for this country and over 40,000 remain missing in action. These are the military men and women who served but never made it out of their uniform.

It is also important to remember that Veterans Day is our national holiday every November 11th (commemorating the World War I armistice declared at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918). It honors those patriotic men and women, living or deceased, who have served our country honorably in the military during war or peacetime for any length of service and are no longer serving. There are 16.2 million veterans living in the United States. These are the military men and women who served and have hung up their uniform. 

As loyal and patriotic Americans, we sincerely appreciate and extend genuine gratitude to all past and present military members and their families.

John Compere

Brigadier General, US Army (Retired) 

Disabled American Veteran (Vietnam Era)

Board Member, Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Texas rancher