South Carolina Celebrates Military Spouse Appreciation Month with Proclamation

Photo By 2nd Lt. Jorge Intriago | South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster presents a Proclamation recognizing May as Military Spouse Appreciation month throughout South Carolina, joined by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr. the adjutant general for South Carolina and his wife Barbara, Fort Jackson's Military Family of the Year, Staff Sgt. John Berta and his wife Agata, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jerry Stevens and his wife Sarah, and other military members with the spouses from the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. Receiving special recognition were four spouses of South Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers whose unit, the 1-151 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, has been deployed to Afghanistan since August. The group was also honored to have Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. (retired) James E. Livingston join the presentation with his wife Sara, who were at the State House. This observance pays tribute to Military spouses for the important role they play in contributing to the strength and resilience of the Armed Services. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jorge Intriago)  

COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

05.15.2018

Story by Lt. Col. Cindi King 

South Carolina National Guard

Representatives from the South Carolina military community and their spouses gathered at the State House in Columbia, South Carolina on May 15, 2018, for a Proclamation Reading by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, recognizing May as Military Spouse Appreciation Month in South Carolina.

Accompanying Gov. McMaster was The Adjutant General for South Carolina, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., and his wife Barbara, Fort Jackson’s Military Family of the Year, Staff Sgt. John Berta and his wife Agata, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jerry Stevens and his wife Sarah, and other military members with the spouses from the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. Receiving special recognition were four spouses of South Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers whose unit, the 1-151 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, has been deployed to Afghanistan since August. The group was also honored to have Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. (retired) James E. Livingston, join the presentation with his wife Sara, who were at the State House.

“South Carolina has a rich military tradition, and that is what has kept our state strong, with duty, honor and country,” said McMaster. “It is my greatest honor to read this Proclamation to say thank you to our military spouses who have sacrificed and done so much for our great state and nation.”

The first Military Spouse Day was read by President Ronald Reagan May 23, 1984, to recognized the profound importance of a spouse’s commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members. The Secretary of Defense, Casper Weinberger, standardized the date by declaring the Friday proceeding Mother’s Day as Military Spouse Day. Since then, Congress officially made Military Spouse Appreciation Day part of National Military Appreciation Month in May in 1999 and military organizations have since dedicated the month of May to recognize military spouses and families.

“We do what we do because of our families,” said Livingston. “We are blessed as a nation and it is a privilege to be able to serve. We are grateful for our spouses for being that cornerstone.”

• Date Taken: 05.15.2018
• Date Posted: 05.15.2018 15:22
• Story ID: 277113
• Location: COLUMBIA, SC, US