Military Spouses Serve With Us Published May 9, 2012 By Brig Gen Anthony Cotton Commander, 45th Space Wing Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. -- Before I discuss this week's topic, I want to once again congratulate the entire AEHF-2 team for the successful launch last Friday. This includes a vast amount of people; from those sitting on console at the Cape to those supporting from Patrick AFB as well. The launch couldn't happen without the coordinated effort of all four groups within the 45th Space Wing. My hat's off to you for a job well done. But remember Team Patrick also includes our contractor professionals. Thank you for your dedication in the flawless execution we witnessed last week. Another important part of our team that we don't mention often enough, are our military spouses. Military Spouse Day comes by once a year and we are able to celebrate everything they do for us. And like many of you out there, this one comes from the heart. As the son of an Air Force Chief, I learned early on that it was my mother who held down the home fort, wherever that "home fort" was at the time. When I became an active duty Airman, it took about five seconds to realize my wife Marsha was doing the exact same thing in the new Cotton household. There is something very special about military spouses. They just seem to inherently get the job done. Throughout the Air Force, we talk about being calm in times of chaos and flexible with our plans, especially when those plans go awry. We have nothing on our military spouses or our significant others when it comes to that. They are masters at juggling several things at the same time. They teach our kids, coach a youth soccer team, find time to volunteer, lend a sympathetic ear to those in need, and, in many cases, find the time to hold down their own career-- all at the same time. And let's not forget they pull up chocks when the active duty member receives orders just to reset and do it all over again. Amazing! Make no mistake: military spouses do not stand behind their Airman. They proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with them, making both our jobs and our personal lives more fulfilling. We owe our military spouses so much more than one day in their honor. We owe them our daily gratitude and love. Even more, we owe them our respect. Thanks again for all you AND YOUR SPOUSE do. Keep pushing, Sharks!