Thank military spouses for their selfless service
In 1984, Ronald Reagan was the first sitting U.S. president to officially recognize Military Spouse Appreciation Day, held during Military Appreciation Month on the Friday before Mother’s Day. Although Reagan’s service in the Army predated his marriage to Nancy, he likely encountered and realized the unique nature of military spouses during his days in uniform and as commander in chief.
As of 2020, there are nearly 53,000 active-duty military spouses in Texas, 89 percent of whom are women and mothers to a total of nearly 44,000 children. So it seems especially fitting to thank and appreciate them before Mother’s Day.
Just over two years ago, I was presented an opportunity to chair the Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone, part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. As such, with the help of a group of local employers and nonprofit advocates, our group addresses military spouse employment locally through hiring, training and advocacy efforts. Through my tenure, I’ve been exposed to some amazing information and stories I wanted to share on Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
Who are our military spouses? There aren’t that many service members — only about 1 percent of the nation has served — and even fewer spouses. Texas is home to almost 9 percent of the nation’s nearly 598,000 activeduty military spouse population. Along with their children, they are uniquely situated in the middle of civilian life and military life. Sharing their families and service members with our nation, they are fierce warriors.
Our military spouses lead Leadershipsa, and testify and lobby before our state legislators to ensure licensure reciprocity for military spouses relocating to Texas. They develop curriculum for our students in public and homeschool programs. They are Fortune 500 recruiters and new U.S. citizens. They manage local work programs that have a positive effect on our local economy. They are doctors, Realtors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, contractors, government employees and the like. And although they are sometimes subject to moving more frequently than the average
citizen, they do not leave employers and companies any more frequently than anyone else.
This year, as we transition out of, and possibly into again, nearly two decades of continuous wartime service, our military spouses are owed a debt of gratitude and appreciation.
How can you share your appreciation? Explore the legislative priorities of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and support those that will improve your own quality of life, and those of our local service members and their families. Or stop in to say hello during the Military Spouse Appreciation Day celebration and resource fair today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Endeavors: Veterans Wellness on De Zavala Road.