fromthepresident
Family Affair
Servicemembers from the front lines in Iraq to stateside
bases tell me they’re able to perform well — as long as they
know the nation is taking care of their families.
M
y wife, Judy, supported spousal awareness of associa-
me through multiple de- tion products and services.
ployments over the course MOAA will hold its sec-
of my military career, rais- ond annual symposium for
ing two great children and military spouses June 19 in
maintaining her own career through con- Virginia Beach, Va. Designed
stant moves. Her invaluable support was to empower and educate
critical; if she had ever turned to me and military spouses, this day-
said, “Norb, this isn’t working for our fam- long event provides an open
ily,” I would have had to think twice about forum for military spouses
making the military a career. and experts on military
Some things haven’t changed. Career spouse and family issues.
decisions still are made around the kitchen Through the Currently
table. Today’s troops and their families are Serving Spouse Advisory
proud to serve but weary of frequent de- Council, I can draw on repre-
ployments and lengthy separations. Bud- sentatives from every service
get cuts have placed increasing strains on to identify best practices and
America’s all-volunteer force. That makes perceived gaps in legislation,
it incumbent on all of us to ensure that products, and services for military spous-
programs for our men and women in uni- es and families. Council members keep
form — and their families — are funded. me informed about what U.S. troops and
MOAA always has focused on families their families are sharing from the fi eld
— and fought important legislative battles and spread the word about MOAA.
for them, such as securing TRICARE For May 9 is Military Spouse Appreciation
Life and trying to end the Survivor Benefi t Day. If you’re a married offi cer, consider
Plan offset for surviving spouses. Our suc- how much your spouse has contributed to
cess in helping win a 3.5-percent pay raise your military success and happiness and
for active duty personnel, health care for thank her, or him, right now. May your
Guard and Reserve members, and larger successful partnerships persevere. If your
military force levels to ease family separa- offi cer spouse is no longer with you, I
tions demonstrates our commitment. offer you heartfelt thanks on his or her be-
Closer to home, MOAA doesn’t just “talk half. And my special thanks to Judy!
the talk” — every day, we “walk the walk”
with the services we provide to association
members and their spouses. The benefi ts
of membership always have extended to
spouses, and we have made efforts to raise — Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.
1 2 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R M AY 2 0 0 8 PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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