Compass Points - Appreciation
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Compass Points - Appreciation
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 8. 2026
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While US forces remain in and around the Strait of Hormuz, back in the US, the military is observing Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
In the Middle East, multiple news outlets are reporting that US warships transiting the Strait of Hormuz were attacked by Iran.
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The US military says it struck Iranian military targets after Tehran launched missiles, drones and fast attack craft at three US Navy vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The event confirms the latest Iran-US flare-up around one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
The targeted ships were the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta and USS Mason. The US Central Command (CentCom) said none of the incoming munitions hit any US assets.
-- Gulf News
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Today, the Friday before Mother’s Day, has been designated as Military Spouse Appreciation Day, as part of Military Appreciation Month.
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May is National Military Appreciation Month in the United States. Unlike many government designated days and months of appreciation, this has a surprisingly rigorous intellectual rationale that goes far beyond the calendar placement of Memorial Day. Thanks in no small degree to Senator John McCain’s spearheading of the legislation passed by the 106th Congress on April 30, 1999, woven within the resolution’s text is a timely civic lesson for all Americans.
Its teaching extends beyond mere commemoration of historical events to the sinews of American democracy. The Armed Forces are to be appreciated throughout May not just because they have put on the nation’s uniform while others have not and have sacrificed physically and mentally while wearing it. It is also because “preserv[ing] and foster[ing] the honor and respect that the United States Armed Forces deserve” is, in fact, the key to those military forces “preserv[ing] the freedoms and liberties that enrich the Nation” by their active supporting of the Constitution.
-- Real Clear Defense
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On this Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Compass Points joins in saluting all military spouses who do so much to help so many. Compass Points has received a poem which provides an example of how spouses provide leadership to change the lives of those around them.
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Mom Never Suspects
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Junior’s in college but still lives at home.
He does a few things that mom doesn’t know
There’s drinking and smoking and vaping too much.
And women, young women, such women to love.
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But mom never suspects.
His mom never suspects.
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He’s come home late and stumbled the stairs.
Bumped into the walls and slide off his bed.
Even a few times, stairs insurmountable.
Collapsed on the couch, comfortably comical.
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But mom never suspects.
His mom never suspects.
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Too many nights lately when out with friends,
He can’t even recall all the trouble they’re in.
Where did the night go? Where is the car?
Who is the girl asleep on his arm?
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But each night when her son skips from the home.
His mother embarks on plans of her own.
She reviews all the photos of her little sweetie.
From infant to toddler to teenage weenie.
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Then she thinks future and imagines his life:
Good job and good friends, good home and good wife.
With the skill of a surgeon sewing a suture
She stitches together his brand new future.
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Dear Lord, I’m a mother please hear my prayer.
I’ve done all I can and you know how I care.
But without a father to guide him and show
The way he should act and all he should know.
He needs your help, Lord. Please give him a nudge.
Forgive, uplift, and encourage my son.
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She prays for her baby every night.
She prays for her baby every night.
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Slowly the nights when he stumbles in,
Slowly they fade and new thoughts begin.
He begins to ask, what is life for?
Do I have a purpose? Could I be something more?
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Is there a real woman who could really love me?
Could we start a home and have everything?
Slowly so slowly he ends nightly derangement,
He wins a new girl and considers engagement.
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His grades start to climb, as his drinking slows.
He starts to wise up and he starts to grow.
What he decides next remakes everything.
With a small box in hand, he gets on one knee.
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He’s now out of college. He once lived at home.
He did a few things that mom doesn’t know
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He still thinks mom never suspects.
He still thinks mom never suspects.
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But the walls of her house are soaked deep in prayers.
From the comfortable couch to the stumbling stairs.
And that naughty toddler who’s now a young man,
His life has been guided by celestial hands.
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But he never suspects.
And he never suspects.
-- JDK
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Gulf News - 05/08/2026
Confirmed: Iran military sites hit after Hormuz attacks on 3 US warships
Missiles, drones and fast boats escalate US-Iran standoff in key oil chokepoint
By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor
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Real Clear Defense - 05/08/2026
Kicking Off Military Appreciation Month
By Rebecca Burgess
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My mother was married to my father who was a WWII, Korea and later, after their divorce a Vietnam veteran. Her second husband was a WWII and Korean War veteran. Her son (me) served in the Marine Corps for 26 years. Her two grandsons served as Marines with a combined five tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. My wife’s father served on Iwo Jima with the USAAF 7th Fighter command and married me after after TBS. She raised two Marines with a combined 17 years of active duty and has now been married to me for 51 years. Between my mother and my wife I think I understand the stresses, strains and challenges of being a “spouse” of service members in war and peace, overseas and in CONUS and the appreciation they deserve. Ceremonies, special days, recognition proclamations and other such things are nice and mean little.
What they really need is proper base housing, rapid access to medical and dental for themselves and their children, proper support and compensation for moves, economical prices at the commissary and exchanges, high quality schools and reduction in red tape and administrivia. Talk is cheap.
Many improvements have been made. Just as many mistakes have been made. Focus on the basics and the rest would take care if itself.
The only thing tougher than a Marine is being married to one!