National Military Appreciation Month and Military Spouse Appreciation Day

WHEREAS, the sense of well-being, freedom and love of country that citizens of the United States enjoy today are the result of personal sacrifice, lives changed and/or lost and ongoing vigilance given by the United States Armed Forces over the history of our great nation in caring for and honoring always our military during and after one’s service; and

WHEREAS, the federal government and all state governments have the responsibility and privilege to raise awareness and respect for this aspect of the heritage of the United States we have inherited and to encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and principles for which Americans have served throughout the history of the nation; in this highly-effective way, we may sustain with hope and dignity the morale and improve the quality of life and well-being for service members and their families, for most assuredly they are our most precious national assets of interest to be protected; and

WHEREAS, these sacrifices that members of the United States Armed Forces and their family members have endured have preserved the liberties that have enriched this nation, as each state of our nation has uniquely made its homeland a “home” for those we hold so dear in appreciation for their service, for in this way, we are most certainly the land of the free and home of the brave; and

WHEREAS, in April 2004, the United States Congress passed a resolution (H. Con. Res. 328) proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month and calling on all Americans to remember those who gave their lives or those who suffer with visible or invisible wounds in defense of freedom and to honor the men and women of our Armed Services and the families of our service men and women; and

WHEREAS, the month of May was selected for all of America to fully express our gratitude and support, as we celebrate Loyalty Day on May 1, Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 10, Armed Forces Day on May 18, Memorial Day on May 27 and Flag Day on June 14:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2013, as

National Military Appreciation Month

and May 10, 2013, as

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

in the state of Alabama.