Military Family Appreciation Day: RCAF Command Team thanks military families
September 16, 2021 - Defence Stories
By Holly Bridges
Sanctioned by Parliament with unanimous consent in 2019, Military Family Appreciation Day will be celebrated this year on Friday, September 17, a day for all Canadians to thank military families for their endless sacrifices and support. It is also a day for RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces members themselves to thank their own families for everything they do behind the scenes to support our military at work.
“The connection between a steady home front and our ability to stay mission-focused is evident in all that we do,” said Air Force Commander Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger and RCAF Chief Warrant Officer John Hall in an internal message to all RCAF members.
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“The recent evacuation airlift out of Afghanistan is a prime example – we simply could not focus on these lifesaving missions without a stable home front. For that, and for so much more, we are eternally grateful to those who make it possible for us to achieve our RCAF mission on behalf of all Canadians.”
Indeed, the goal of Military Family Appreciation Day is to raise awareness of the unique challenges of military family life, and to recognize the resiliency and sacrifices of our military families as they support their loved ones serving 24/7 in the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve Force).
“We as the RCAF Command Team would like to thank our own families for their support over the years, enduring many lengthy absences and associated worries, in addition to the seemingly endless moves, packing and unpacking, new schools, new doctors, new friends, and the bittersweet emotions that come with leaving newfound friends behind with every posting.
“Our families sacrifice so much for us – close connections with family and friends living far away, career stability and progression, timely access to quality and appropriate health care, housing, schools, and precious free time that is more often than not spent trying to cope and settle in. Ours is a unique lifestyle and is truly not for the faint of heart.”
LGen Meinzinger said on special days like this, “we must take a moment to thank our families and recognize everything we ask of them in order for us to serve our country,” going on to say he encourages RCAF members to “take time to do something special – take your family out for the evening, write a heartfelt card or spend quality time at home. I encourage all of our RCAF members to take concrete action to thank their families today for their ongoing sacrifices and support.”
Canadians and RCAF members can express their gratitude in a more public way on Military Family Appreciation Day by using the hashtags #MFAD and #HomeFortChallenge and posting their messages, photos or videos to social media, while encouraging others to do the same.
There are about 140,000 family members (spouses, children and other dependants) of our Canadian Armed Forces personnel (Regular and Reserve Force) who deserve our thanks and recognition each and every day – but today we pay special homage to them all!