Fort Campbell, KY. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Several hundred military spouses gathered at Fort Campbell’s Hangar 3 on Friday, February 28, for a visit from Second Lady Karen Pence. Pence highlighted some new measures to help create employment solutions for military spouses.
The Second Lady has been traveling throughout the country and the world, addressing military spouse employment challenges. Along with remarks to military spouses, Pence met with senior military leadership at Fort Campbell, and visited the Intrepid Spirit Center at Fort Campbell’s art therapy program.
Pence said it was a pleasure to be at Fort Campbell, the home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air assault). “To the men and women who wear the uniform, bravely serve and protect our country, you cannot be thanked enough. The service members serving here at Fort Campbell are making our country so proud,” said Pence.
Pence said that military service members are not the only ones who serve. Their spouses and their children serve right along side them. She told the spouses that they do so much for the nation and make so many sacrifices and don’t ask for much in return and she admired their volunteer spirit and their selfless support because they are the home front heroes.
One military spouse, Michelle Patterson said it meant a lot to her to have Pence visit and talk to the spouses. “Military spouse employment is a personal passion of mine. She really gives a great platform for that and people are paying attention because of all the advocacy she is doing around it. We’re starting to see the action and it’s super exciting,” said Patterson.
Patterson’s husband, Major Tyler Patterson, serves in the 1st Brigade Combat Team on Post.
After speaking, the Second Lady took time to have a photo made with each of the spouses and each spouse received a special bracelet and a challenge coin.
