Second Lady Karen Pence said she was prompted to plan events for military women by First Lady Melania Trump, who hosted a reception for International Women’s Day observance at The White House earlier this month.

“Immediately, I thought of military women,” said Pence, who said they idea evolved from a recently attended event for women in the military at Fort Meade Army Base in Maryland.

“I had lunch in the mess hall with women service members from all branches,” Pence said in an interview with The Meridian Star. “It was kind of a listening session, getting to know them, thanking them for their service, letting them know we appreciate their sacrifice and we know it isn’t easy. It was interesting talking to those women, finding out why they went into the military, what they like about the military – it was just a wonderful visit with them.”

Pence will honor military spouses at NAS Meridian Monday at a reception observing Women’s History Month. Spouses of active duty members from NAS Meridian and the Mississippi National Guard from Key Field will be in attendance at the event, which is closed to the public.

On Thursday, Pence invited 30 active duty women service members to a reception at the vice president’s residence.

“It’s just a way to say ‘thank-you’ to them for their service, and just to tell them we appreciate all the sacrifices they make,” she said.

Pence said she also wanted to recognize another group of women whose lives are impacted by the military: spouses.

“A lot of times, it’s the spouse who makes just as big of a sacrifice,” she said. “I wanted to do something to honor, and thank and encourage the female spouses of our service members since we’re talking about honoring women this month.”

NAS Meridian was chosen as the site for the event, not only because Pence and her husband Vice President Mike Pence’ son, Michael, a Marine, is in flight training at the local naval base, but also because her policy director’s brother was once stationed there.

“She said, ‘Why don’t we go to Meridian?’ And I said, ’That’s a great idea, because that’s where my son is!’ I felt kind of bad that I didn’t think of that first, since that’s where my son is,” Pence said.

The Second Lady said many of her conversations with military spouses have been humbling experiences.

“As people frequently say to me, ‘Oh, we appreciate your sacrifice, we appreciate your service.’ I always think, my daughter-in-law (Sarah) is making a much bigger sacrifice,” she said. “I appreciate what she is doing and the support she is giving to my son, and the sacrifice she is making for our country.”

Acknowledging NAS Meridian’s three spouse support groups – Training Squadron 7, Training Squadron 9 and NAS Meridian Chief Spouses Club – Pence said Monday’s observance will be an expression of gratitude to them.

“I just want them to know I’m grateful for their service and sacrifice,” she said. “I’m grateful that their willing to pick and move their families every few years. They keep the house going while their loved ones are deployed. They are a vital part of our communities.”

In addition to Pence, Governor Phil Bryant and Gayle Wicker, wife of state Sen. Roger Wicker, will attend the reception observing Women’s History Month. Pence will tour NAS Meridian and have the opportunity to show off her piloting skills – she holds a pilot’s license – in one of the base’s flight simulators.