Info fair punctuates spouse celebration Published May 13, 2011 MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Maxwell-Gunter honored spouses during the Spouse Appreciation Day celebration May 6 at the Maxwell Event Center. The theme for this year's event was "You're Our Inspiration, Now Let Us Be Yours." Spouses gained information, tips and ideas by touring the booths of various on- and off-base vendors, including beauty consultants, fitness experts, educators, financial consultants, spas, counselors and home improvement specialists from around the River Region. Some of the vendors participating from around base included the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, family advocacy, the youth centers and MAX Credit Union. There also were financial programs available to assist spouses with a range of topics to save money and plan for retirement. On the national level, President Barack Obama declared May 6 Military Spouse Appreciation Day, stating: "Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes in uniform who protect and defend our great nation every day. Across America and around the world, military spouses serve our country in their own special way, helping families and friends through the stress of a deployment, caring for our wounded warriors, and supporting each other when a loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice. "Our service members and their families seldom ask for support or recognition. They carry out their duties to family and country with the quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American spirit. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed," he said. "When a member of our Armed Forces is deployed, an entire family is called to serve. The readiness of our troops depends on the readiness of our military families, as millions of parents, children, and loved ones sacrifice as well. ... Earlier this year, my administration released the report on military families, 'Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment,' which marshaled resources from across our government to identify new opportunities to support these patriots," said the president. In addition, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are mobilizing Americans to give service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned through a national initiative, "Joining Forces." Americans can find service projects, send messages of thanks to military families and learn more about this initiative by visiting http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces. Courtesy of Armed Forces Press Service, staff reports