March service members say "thank you" to spouses Published May 5, 2011 By Megan Just 452 AMW Public Affairs MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Military Spouse Appreciation Day in 1984. To observe this year's Military Spouse Appreciation Day, March servcie men and women wrote notes of thanks to thier spouses. Wing Commander's thank you to March spouses "Nothing lasting is possible without the team. In the military world, the team is everything, and the team inside the military team is the family. The family, and therefore the military team, depends on the spouse to pick up the duties and responsibilities for the absence of the military member. I am indebted to every spouse who supports their military member. We could not be successful without your sacrifice. The story goes that Albert Einstein's wife made sure he remembered to put on his pants every day before he left the house. Seems like a small thing, but this selflessness allowed Albert to concentrate his mind on accomplishments which were world changing. It's no small thing, then, for a spouse to clear the path to success." -- Col. Karl McGregor, 452nd Air Mobility Wing commander Tech. Sgt. Rick Garcia, 452nd Maintenance Squadron "My wife has supported me through 23 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve so far. Ten years ago, I was deployed to England for an indefinite amount of time. Even though I wasn't in a dangerous location, I know the deployment was really hard on her because she was taking care of our sons and working full time, and she didn't know how long it would be before I could come home. I did not like being away from my family, but I know it was her who bore the largest burden of the separation. Thank you, Brenda, for keeping our family together while I was gone." 1st Lt. Zachary Anderson, 4th Air Force Public Affairs "In our two years of marriage Renee has sacrificed so incredibly much in support of my military career. She's put up with multiple missed Valentine's Days, missed birthdays and me being forced to be away during all sorts of significant events. She planned our entire wedding while I was gone to Officer Training School for 12 weeks. We were married just four days after my graduation, and she had taken care of every detail. When I was assigned to March ARB, she never once hesitated in uprooting her life and moving to California, all to support me as I continued my career. In the two years we've been here, I've been away from home on duty more times than I can count, yet she's never complained or been anything other than supportive. The bottom line: Her love, her support, her sacrifice, is what enables to me serve my country." Retired Chief Master Sgt. James Rich, 452nd Force Support Squadron "I know this is long overdue, but I just wanted to take this chance to say thank you to my wife, Kathleen, for everything she went through during my 34 years of military service. I know it was 34 years of me missing appointments, birthdays and holidays. It was 34 years of her taking care of the kids and the household while I performed weekend duty or deployed. It was 34 years of hearing, 'I'll be home just as soon as I can.' Kathleen, thank you for loving me despite my military mannerisms, dirty fatigues and forgetting who the real Chief was at home. I love you, and promise to spend the next 34 years trying to make it up to you." Col. Mary Aldrian, 452nd Air Mobility Wing vice commander "I would like to thank my spouse, Joe (who is an airline pilot) for all the times he flew through the night, walked in the door at 6:30 a.m., hoping to go to sleep, but was met by me handing him a list of all the kids activities for the day as I walked out the door to my UTA. Thanks for all your love and support over the past 18 years." Senior Master Sgt. Crystal Rossman, 163rd Mission Support Group "Matthew Rossman, my husband, has been my rock and biggest supporter. He has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. When the 163rd was 'bracked' and I wasn't sure if I would still have a job, he encouraged me to use that time to get my degree. In fact, he went online and filled out college registration questionnaires and the next thing I knew I was getting calls every day from different colleges. I found one I wanted to attend and enrolled in an accelerated bachelor's program. Thankfully, our unit got the Predator mission and my job was secure, however, in a short time, an opportunity arose to progress, and wouldn't you know it: the job required a degree. I am thankful everyday for his support and encouragement." Capt. Joshua Chambers, 912th Air Refueling Squadron "My spouse, Elizabeth, means when I'm gone, the kids will remember me and really know who I am, even if my youngest (was 10 months) didn't know me for nearly half his life. My spouse is that rock at home who understands those tough days but will also kick me back in line when I complain too much or get too full of myself. I could not perform my job with the level and dedication without her." Staff Sgt. Gareth Gregson, 452nd Security Forces Squadron "I wanted to give a shout out to my wife, Rebecca Gregson. We will be married for seven years on the 8th of May. And with me working nights, we don't spend much time together but, she always supports me. I love her so much. She's my everything!" Senior Master Sgt. Paul Jacobs, 912th Air Refueling Squadron "As CinC House and CEO of The Jacobs Bill-Paying Company, my spouse is invaluable. As wife to me and mother to my kids, she is the most cherished part of my life. She has made my career possible and sacrificed many of her own dreams and aspirations in order to support mine. She is an amazing woman and I stand in awe of her ability to cope in this life that I've chosen. The job of a military spouse, and in particular mine, is one of the most difficult in our total force. They deserve the American people's respect and our admiration. I love you, Honey! Master Sgt. Linda Welz, 452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs "My spouse, Richard, is by far the best! I can't believe he's put up with me for the last 27 years. He's definitely honored our vows because he's been there for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. He helped me raise my daughter from toddler to adult. He was there for both of us through deployments, TDYs and UTAs. He is still a great father, which gives me a sense of peace when I'm gone, knowing he will take care of our teenage daughter. He can cook...pasta. (When I'm gone, my daughter has said, "Mom, hurry home. I'm tired of spaghetti.") He does the yard work, cleans the house and does the dishes, and yes, he also works full time. He even irons my uniforms if I ask-- and he's never been in the military. I don't tell him enough how much I really appreciate and love him, but I do. Thank you, honey!" For more information about March Air Reserve Base, visit the base's website, Facebook page and Twitter account.