For over seven years, our nation has been in sustained military conflict.  And, our service members, who have bravely performed the difficult tasks our country asks of them, have faced multiple deployments of up to 20 months.  But, they are not the only ones who are shouldering the burden of the war: nearly two million military families have also shared in that burden.  Over the last several years, these families have supported our service members through every conceivable hardship.  Their sacrifices are every bit as real as our men and women on deployment.
 
        That is why I introduced a resolution, urging the President to designate 2009 as the “Year of the Military Family”.  On March 11, 2009, the resolution, H. Con. Res. 64, was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 422 to 0.  By approving this resolution, we in the House recognize and uphold the contributions that military families make and encourage the nation to share its appreciation for the sacrifices military families give on behalf of our country.

Military families often face unique challenges and difficulties that are inherent to military life.  For the children who have parents in the Armed Services, there have been missed birthdays, graduations, holidays, a child’s first words, and other major life accomplishments.  Many families, especially those in the Reserves and Guard, must face hardships alone, far from support programs and facilities that are located on military bases.  Life in the military can mean long separations from loved ones, repetitive demands of frequent deployments, and severed community ties as a result of moves to bases across the country and abroad.
                                    
        A country that benefits from the dedication and sacrifices of our service members and their families has a responsibility to show our appreciation.  Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District is home to several major military installations, including Whiteman Air Force Base, Fort Leonard Wood, and the National Guard Training Center in Jefferson City, so there are many military families right here in many of our communities.  The America Supports You website provides excellent resources for people looking for opportunities to support military families.  Some of the opportunities available through the website include tutoring a child or assisting a family that needs help with household repairs.  Local volunteer opportunities can be found on the America Supports You website. 
 
        The President and Mrs. Obama have stated that military families will be a top priority for this Administration.  I applaud the Obamas for their commitment to our military families.  And, I urge the President to continue his commitment by recognizing those sacrifices by declaring this the Year of the Military Family.

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