Day honors sacrifices of military spouses Published May 6, 2009 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard will celebrate the commitment and sacrifices of military spouses May 8 at the community activities center in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Military spouses are the backbone of our Air Force. Spouses endure frequent moves to unknown towns, long deployments and wartime fears. They do all of this for love of their spouses and their country. The personal sacrifices military spouses must make are a key component in helping the military reach its readiness, retention and recruitment goals. Military husbands and wives deserve to be acknowledged for meeting the challenges that come with the military lifestyle. Sheppard is taking the opportunity to salute active duty and retiree spouses by hosting a Military Spouse Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to noon. This fun-filled event will include free food, musical entertainment, give-a-ways, door prizes, a fashion show, free golf tips, massages, face painting and air tattoos for children, and much more. Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. It is part of National Military Appreciation Month, which also observes Memorial Day, Victory Day and Armed Forces Week.