Robins to celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 6 Published April 29, 2016 By Angela Woolen Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- President Ronald Reagan made a proclamation May 23, 1984 for the first Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Fast forward about 30 years and Robins is celebrating military spouses all month long. The recognition day is the Friday before Mother's Day which falls this year on May 6. A free gift bag, along with door prizes will be given away on a first come, first served basis to the first 100 spouses at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, starting at 7:30 a.m. Spouses will have to provide identification or the military member can pick up the gift bag. "The object is to recognize military spouses for their many sacrifices and their commitment to support the military lifestyle," said Dell Steplight, A&FRC personal and work life program manager. There are more than 2,200 military dependents at Robins, according to data provided by Maj. Christopher Klaiber, 78th Force Support Squadron deputy director. Military members rely on their spouses to help make decisions, Steplight said. In 1999, Congress made the day part of National Military Appreciation Month. At bases around the world, the Friday before Mother's Day will be a celebration of military spouses everywhere. "Military spouses are the backbone of our military members," she said. For more information, call (478) 926-1256.