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Second Lady Karen Pence visits Grand Forks AFB

Mrs. Karen Pence, the Second Lady of the United States, speaks to military spouses July 25, 2018, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. Spouses vocalized their concerns to Mrs. Pence and had the opportunity to listen to other spouses for solutions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melody Wolff)

Second Lady Karen Pence visits Grand Forks AFB

Mrs. Sharon Swanson, a 319th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant, presents Mrs. Karen Pence, the Second Lady of the United States, a gift July 25, 2018, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. Mrs. Pence spent time with military spouses to gain a better understanding of the issues they face. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melody Wolff)

Second Lady Karen Pence visits Grand Forks AFB

Published July 25, 2018
By Airman 1st Class, Melody Wolff
319th Air Base Wing

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Mrs. Karen Pence, the Second Lady of the United States, hosted a seminar for military spouses July 25, 2018, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.

“One thing we want to do is elevate the position of military spouses,” said Mrs. Pence. “Our spouses and military children serve right alongside our service members, and that can be challenging. Our goal is to make people aware of the issues that they face.”

Mrs. Pence met with ten military spouses currently at Grand Forks AFB and listened to the concerns they are currently facing.

Mrs. Pence stressed the importance of tuning in to the concerns of military spouses.

“I think the best way to start is by listening,” said Mrs. Pence. “We want to raise the awareness of military spouses, the role they play, and the sacrifice they make, and sometimes just by listening to other spouses, they can help resolve some of the issues.”

Because of the session, Mrs. Pence said she was able to gather useful information from the concerns of the spouses she met with, and found it to be beneficial for the spouses to discuss their issues and listen to each other.

“We have such respect for military spouses,” said Mrs. Pence. “The spouses we met with today were open and vulnerable, and very articulate. They knew what they wanted us to be aware of. For me, it is a very humbling thing, because I know it is not an easy life, and I just want them to know that we appreciate all that they do.”