A day to appreciate military spouses Published May 5, 2011 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, Military Spouse Appreciation Day was set for the Friday before Mother's Day each year to recognize the many contributions and sacrifices military spouses make in support of military members and the country. This year, the special day falls on May 6. Military spouses now more than ever serve one less seat at the dinner table, fill both roles as a parent and are often asked to pack and move families from one assignment to another while loved ones are deployed or on a remote assignment. In addition to the support they offer their own families, military spouses are continually making positive contributions to their communities, President Reagan said in his initial Military Spouse Appreciation Day proclamation. "As volunteers, military spouses have provided exemplary service and leadership in educational, community, recreational, religious, social and cultural endeavors," he said. "And as parents and homemakers, they preserve the cornerstones of our nation's strength - the American family." This month the Airman and Family Readiness Center has several classes for military spouses to ease PCS transitions, help cope with deployments, to participate in workshops aimed at educating military spouses about new benefits offered to them, as well as marriage seminars. Women and Self-Esteem will be offered May 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The class takes a look into the root causes of low self-esteem. Matri-Money will be held on May 6 from 1 to 2 p.m. and will provide strategies to reduce emotionally charged discussions on money matters in the marriage. Heart Link Spouse Orientation will be held May 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. and is a workshop for any spouse who is married to a service member from any branch of the armed forces who wants to learn more about military life. Hearts Apart "Bowl You Over" will be held at the Hanscom Bowling Center on May 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for families of deployed, remote tour and extended TDY service members. A military spouse career workshop will be held on May 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for spouses interested in getting a federal job quickly using the spouse's preference or who want to learn more about job search assistance and navigating the USAJOBS website. For more information or to register for one of the Airman and Family Readiness Center classes, call 781-377-4222 or visit their website at www.hanscom.af.mil/units/afrc.asp.