Show Your Support For Military Spouses

I often get asked by well-meaning civilians what they can do to help military families. So... in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day that's coming up THIS FRIDAY (Hint, Hint, military husbands whose wives would really 'preciate some 'preciation)... here's a list of tips I've put together.

We're sending this press release out in hopes that we can get the word out to the community as well. Feel free to post on your own blog, but please give credit to Wives of Faith!

Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 9) is a Reminder to
Community to Support Military Families

Nashville, Tenn. – In 1984 President Reagan proclaimed the Friday before Mother's Day of each year to be Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This is the time to recognize military spouses for all they do to support their husbands or wives who serve with one of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

There are many military spouses in Middle Tennessee – active, reserve and National Guard. When spouses leave for trainings or for deployments, families don’t always have the support they need but could definitely use. We know ordinary citizens are often willing to help, but don’t know how to start. Please consider the following list for ideas in getting involved in supporting military families. Your help will make a major difference.

Eight Ways to Show Support to a Military Spouse

1. Thank her (or him) for the service and sacrifice that their family and their service member provide for our country but keep your political views to yourself.
2. If you know a military family whose service member is gone for training or for deployment, ask for a specific list of things they could use help with. Organize a group to come help get those tasks done. Don’t assume someone else is already doing it.
3. Offer to bring a meal or better yet, invite the spouse and children over for dinner. Friendship is just as important as service.
4. Consider adopting a military family for the duration of a deployment. A one-time act of kindness is always appreciated, but being someone a spouse can count on for anything is priceless.
5. Organize a group at your church or in your community to help mow the yards or do other tasks for military spouses whose service member is gone.
6. Put a card in the mail periodically to encourage and let that military spouse know she’s being thought of today.
7. When you put together a care package for the service member, don’t forget to put a package or gift basket together for the spouse. Include bubble bath, chocolate and a gift card to a restaurant or a bookstore or movie rental store.
8. If you don’t know a military family personally, consider supporting or volunteering with an organization that helps military families such as Green Care for Troops, Operation Homefront, or Wives of Faith.

Wives of Faith is a faith-based military wives support organization that exists for the purpose of connecting all military wives in all branches of service and including active, retired, Reserve, and Guard, who are looking for encouragement and friendships with others sharing similar life experiences. Since starting in 2006, the group has seen chapters form in three different states including Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana.

The group will hold their spring regional event Monday, May 12 at The People’s Church in Franklin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.wivesoffaith.org/.