‘‘It’s not an easy life being in the military, particularly when we’re at war, and I understand that,” the president told a group of military spouses, including several from Quantico. ‘‘For many of you, it means packing up your belongings and moving on short notice. I suspect a lot of you have been on the move much more than you thought you’d be on the move.

‘‘For others, it means living in a foreign land, which can be exciting,” Bush continued. ‘‘But it also means you’re far away from your extended family, and that’s hard. And for many of you, it means missing a spouse as he or she serves on the front lines in this battle to secure our country and to spread freedom for the sake of peace.”

Bush signed a proclamation dedicating May 9 Military Spouses Day.

‘‘Twenty-four years ago, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation recognizing Military Spouses Day. And my own judgment is, is that we need to recognize military spouses every day,” Bush said. ‘‘But this is the time of year that we honor the wives and husbands who support our men and women in uniform.

‘‘Our Nation benefits from the sacrifices of our military families, and we are inspired by their courage, strength, and leadership,” Bush wrote in the proclamation. ‘‘On Military Spouse Day and throughout the year, we honor the commitment spouses have made to freedom’s cause.”

Before the ceremony kicked off, wives and husbands were buzzing around the lawn, taking photos to commemorate the visit.

‘‘I think it is great. It is nice to be appreciated,” said Michele Patterson, a Marine spouse.

There was an interservice representation of spouses at the breakfast.

‘‘It is exciting to be here on the lawn in front of the White House,” said Priscilla Moss, whose husband is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. ‘‘This is the first time I have left the hospital, or his room for that matter since February.”

Wives were not the only ones being recognized. Although fewer in number, male military spouses were also recognized.

‘‘It’s very good honor,” said Paul Sconzo, whose wife, an Army reservist, is serving in Baghdad. ‘‘My wife asked if I would take the time to come. I’m very proud of her and just want her to stay safe.”

During the ceremony, six spouses were individually recognized for their contributions to the military. Each service was recognized.

Marine wife, Kaprece James, was honored for her service while living at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif.

‘‘She has been a force of nature since she’s arrived. When she moved on the base, Kaprece immediately began volunteering with the American Red Cross. She’s assisted with more than a hundred Red Cross communications messages that have provided our deployed service members with notification or assistance in emergency situations,” Bush said. ‘‘Kaprece developed the first year-round Youth Leadership Program on base to help young people learn from professionals – learn professional leadership and interviewing skills.”

She raised funds for a program that will allow young people to assemble 500 disaster kits for enlisted service members and their families as well as developed a special newsletter for distribution to 250 families of deployed personnel.

‘‘And on top of all that, she serves as a cheerleading coach for the children of Marines and civilian personnel on base,” Bush said. ‘‘So today, Kaprece, we honor you. We honor your enthusiasm. We admire your dedication to the Corps, and we thank you for the example you’ve set.”

The president wasn’t the only person honoring spouses. One military spouse was also there to recognize other spouses.

‘‘I’m here to thank them. Without the spouses, the military can’t do what they do,” said Lynne Pace, retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace’s wife. ‘‘They are the secret weapon. The efforts that they have put in over the last five or six years needs to be appreciated more.”