Since 1984, the U.S. Department of Defense has designated the Friday before Mother's Day as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This year, the day falls on May 9.

The following statement was issued by Admiral Mike Mullin, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - THIS FRIDAY, 9 MAY, IS MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY. I HOPE EVERYONE WILL JOIN ME IN THANKING THE WONDERFUL HUSBANDS AND WIVES OF OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, MARINES, COAST GUARDSMEN AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES FOR ALL THEY DO TO MAKE OUR SERVICE POSSIBLE.

I'VE OFTEN SAID THAT NO ONE IN OUR BUSINESS CAN DO IT ALONE -- NOT AS AN ORGANIZATION AND CERTAINLY NOT AS INDIVIDUALS. WE ALL NEED HELP FROM TIME TO TIME, SOMEONE TO TURN TO FOR LOVE, SUPPORT, AND EVEN A LITTLE GUIDANCE. WE ALL NEED A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON. FOR MANY OF US, THAT SHOULDER BELONGS TO A SPOUSE. I KNOW THAT'S CERTAINLY BEEN THE CASE IN MY HOME FOR MORE THAN 37 YEARS NOW.

OUR SPOUSES SERVE AS WE SERVE, AND EVERY BIT AS MUCH. THEY MAY NOT CARRY A PACK, DRIVE A SHIP OR FLY COMBAT MISSIONS, BUT THE VITAL LINK THEY REPRESENT TO ALL THINGS HOME SUSTAINS US AND IMPROVES THE MORALE OF ENTIRE UNITS. AND THAT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TODAY AS WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT A TOUGH, LONG WAR AGAINST RADICAL EXTREMISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

IT ALMOST GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT OUR COMBAT READINESS IS TIED TO FAMILY READINESS, AND OUR SPOUSES ARE VITAL TO BOTH. QUITE FRANKLY, I'M NOT SURE WE CAN EVER SAY ENOUGH OR DO ENOUGH TO TRULY THANK THEM FOR THAT EFFORT. BUT WE CERTAINLY OUGHT TO TRY.

I URGE ALL MARRIED SERVICE MEMBERS THIS FRIDAY TO THANK THE ONE WHO SERVES ALONGSIDE YOU. LET HIM OR HER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE ALL THEY DO -- EVERY DAY -- TO MAKE WHAT YOU DO POSSIBLE. I ALSO ENCOURAGE COMMANDS WHOSE OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS PERMIT TO RECOGNIZE THE HUSBAND AND WIFE PARTNERSHIPS UPON WHOSE SHOULDERS OUR MILITARY DEPENDS SO MUCH.

M. G. MULLEN, ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY