R 071800Z MAY 04
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(uc)
TO AL MARADMIN(uc)
MARADMIN
BT
UNCLASSIFIED
MARADMIN 206/04
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MR MRA//
SUBJ/MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY//
POC/MR. GREG GORDON/GS-14/MRE/-/TEL:703-432-9535
/EMAIL:GORDONG@MANPOWER.USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  PURPOSE.  TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MILITARY
SPOUSES ON "MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY." 
2.  BACKGROUND.  THERE ARE OVER 78,000 SPOUSES IN THE MARINE CORPS
FAMILY, AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS VITAL TO MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT.
MARINES HAVE TOUGH DUTY, HOWEVER, OUR SPOUSES' DUTY IS EQUALLY
TOUGH. MARINE SPOUSES ENDURE LONG SEPARATIONS OFTEN FRAUGHT WITH
ANXIETY AND WORRY, WHILE CONTINUING TO PARENT CHILDREN, PAY BILLS,
AND SUPPORT THEIR MARINE.  THE MARINE CORPS HAS LONG KNOWN THAT
FAMILY READINESS LEADS TO MISSION READINESS AND RETENTION.  SINCE
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 THE DEMANDS ON OUR MARINES, AND THEIR LOVING
SPOUSES, HAVE ONLY INCREASED.  THIS PACE WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEAR
TERM, THUS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT TO REFLECT ON MILITARY SPOUSES --
THEY TRULY DESERVE A SPECIAL DAY OF RECOGNITION.  SIMPLY PUT, WE
COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT THEM. 
3.  GENERAL HAGEE SENDS.//