Team MDL Honors Spouses' Sacrifices

Lt. Col. Charlotta Hornig, 87th Force Support Squadron commander, presents flowers to military spouses Roma Patel and Justina Moses to congratulate them on earning their US citizenship at the Spouse Appreciation Luncheon at Tommy B’s Community Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, June 1, 2016. The Spouse Appreciation Luncheon is held annually and recognizes the achievements of military spouses.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn/released)

Team MDL Honors Spouses' Sacrifices

Col. Frederick Thaden, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and 87th Air Base Wing commander, and others guests get something to eat at the Spouse Appreciation Luncheon at Tommy B’s Community Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, June 1, 2016. The luncheon provided food and entertainment as a thank you to military spouses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn/released)

Team MDL Honors Spouses' Sacrifices

The United Service Organizations Show Troupe from New York sing and dance at the Spouse Appreciation Luncheon at Tommy B’s Community Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, June 1, 2016. The Spouse Appreciation Luncheon is held annually to show appreciation for military spouses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn/released)

Team MDL honors spouses' sacrifices

Published June 3, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The annual Military Spouse Appreciation Day Luncheon was held June 1 at Tommy B's Community Center here.

Military and Family Support Center staff hosted the luncheon to show community appreciation for military spouses as part of Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

"At the Military and Family Support Center, we reach out and do the best we can to support our family members," said Amada Espinoza, 87th Force Support Squadron readiness consultant. "We want to empower our spouses."

This year's luncheon featured a citizenship ceremony for two military spouses and entertainment by the USO Show Troupe from New York City.

The event is important because it's all about the spouses, according to Espinoza. It gives the spouses the time in the spotlight they deserve because they sacrifice so much and do so much for the community.

At the event, military spouses Roma Patel and Justina Moses earned their U.S. citizenship.

Roma was born in India and moved to the United States in 2012 as part of an arranged marriage with her husband Staff Sgt. Ravi Patel, assigned to the 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

"It was pretty challenging in the beginning, but now I'm glad I'm here today," Roma said. "I'm honored that I'm his wife and he's in the military."

Espinoza said the event took months to prepare with efforts from the 87th FSS and Tommy B's Community Center, but the effort was worth it to ensure the spouses were properly recognized.

"It's essential that we help our foreign-born spouses," Espinoza said. "Securing a family's future, that's what family readiness is all about."

The first Military Spouse Appreciation day was declared by President Ronald Reagan on May 23, 1984.