Governor proclamation Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina

Leadership spouses from the 20th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, U.S. Army Central, and Ninth Air Force gather in the lower lobby of The State House, Columbia, S.C., to start their tour, May 8, 2014. Military spouses from across the state were invited to The State House to attend S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley's proclamation reading and signing, which declared May 9, 2014, as "Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina." (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ave Young/Released)

Governor proclamation Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina

Leadership spouses from the 20th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, U.S. Army Central, and Ninth Air Force gather in the upper lobby of The State House, Columbia, S.C., during their tour, May 8, 2014. Military spouses from across the state were invited to The State House to attend S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley's proclamation reading and signing, which declared May 9, 2014, as "Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina." (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ave Young/Released)

Governor proclamation Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, left and Barrie Hall, wife of U.S.A.F. Col. Clay Hall, 20th Fighter Wing, commander, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., hold a framed copy of the proclamation declaring May 9, 2014, as "Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina" , in the lower lobby of The State House, May 8, 2014. Spouses from military installations across South Carolina were invited to The State House, Columbia, S.C., for Haley’s reading and signing of the proclamation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ave Young/Released)

Governor proclamation Military Spouse Appreciation Day in South Carolina

Published May 9, 2014
By Maj. Cindi King
South Carolina National Guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- They are called the backbone of our military. They are seen waving goodbye from airports and piers, often holding a small child's hand or quietly wiping tears as they stand alone. They sustain the home front, endure empty nights, and carry the burden when service members are far from home. These unsung heroes are military spouses.

On May 8, 2014, at a special ceremony at the State House in Columbia, S.C., Gov. Nikki Haley read a proclamation declaring May 9 "Military Spouse Appreciation Day" in South Carolina.

Haley was joined by Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., the adjutant general for S.C., along with his wife, Barbara, Brig. Gen. Bradley Becker, commanding general at Fort Jackson, with his wife, Sherri, representatives from the S.C. Army and Air National Guard with their spouses, spouses from Shaw Air Force Base and Army Central Command, and Marines with their spouses from Parris Island and Beaufort Air Station.

"We are a strong patriotic state because of our military," said Haley. "Military spouses make sure our soldiers don't have to worry, so they can do what they do best, and that's protecting our country."

Haley is also a military spouse, married to S.C. Army National Guard Soldier, Capt. Michael Haley who recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan.

Haley said being a military spouse does have its challenges when a loved one is away, sharing the time she locked herself out of the Governor's mansion one morning when her husband was deployed. But she added, every moment is filled with extreme pride and understanding that the service member is doing his or her duty to protect our nation.

Mrs. Barrie Hall, the spouse of Col. Clay Hall, commander of the 20th Fighter Wing attended and said, "It was my privilege to represent the military spouses of Shaw AFB at Governor Haley's Proclamation declaring May 9, 2014, Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Over the past 24 years, I have been encouraged and inspired by the incredible strength and perseverance I have witnessed in my fellow military spouses, and have been touched by their support and friendship. Our military loved ones better perform their duties and complete their missions due to the support of their spouses."

Military Spouse Appreciation Day was originally recognized by President Ronald Reagan when he stressed the profound importance of a spouse and their commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members and declared May 23, 1984, the first Military Spouse Day. The secretary of defense, Casper Weinberger, standardized the date by declaring the Friday proceeding Mother's Day as Military Spouse Day.

Editor's Note: Material for this article was added by Capt. Ashley Norris, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs