Year of the Military Family

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:10:28 -0500

Year of the Military Family" declared by House of Representatives

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Mar 11, 2009

A bipartisan resolution declaring 2009 the "Year of the Military Family" was
passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday on a unanimous vote after
a flurry of speeches about how families are just as important to national
security as uniformed service members.

HConRes 64, approved by a 422-0 roll call vote, provides no new benefits, no
boost in pay, no improvements in living or working conditions and does not
create or expand upon any family support program.

What is does is "urge" President Barack Obama to issue a proclamation
designating 2009 as a year to hold ceremonies and events that point out the
sacrifices made by the 1.8 million family members of active-duty troops and
the 1.1 million family members of National Guard and Reserve troops.

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., the House Armed Services Committee chairman and
chief sponsor of the resolution, said families are sometimes overlooked when
talking about sacrifices made during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Over the last several years, military families have faced months of
separation, some as long as 18 to 20 months," he said. "With over a million
children between the ages of birth and 23 years of age who have parents in
uniform, there have been many missed birthdays, graduations, holidays, and a
child's first words and other major life accomplishments that are all too
common as troops continue to experience back to back deployments."

Skelton said he expects such a proclamation to be issued, because Obama and
first lady Michelle Obama already have made clear that military families will
be a priority in this administration.

Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., said support from families - including spouses,
parents, children and siblings - is a big factor in recruiting and retaining
service members. "Military families have an uncanny resilience," he said.
"They are some of the strongest citizens in this country."

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/03/military_militaryfamily_year_031109
w/