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Second Lady meets with military families in Billings

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BILLINGS- Karen Pence, the wife of Vice President Mike Pence, visited a business run by a military spouse on Wednesday afternoon.

She then spoke at the Armed Forces Reserve Center.

Jody Quinn, the wife of Montana Adjutant General Major General Matthew Quinn, introduced Karen Pence.

“We appreciate your commitment to our families and the loved ones that we know and ours that are serving,” Mrs. Quinn said in the introduction.

“The strength of our nation does not just come from the people in uniform,” Pence said. “The spouses and families who serve right along side, make tremendous sacrifices to the greater benefit of our country.”

She has her own family connection to the military and talked about her son serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Michael received his Wings of Gold in Meridian Mississippi in September,” Pence said.  “And it was such an honor for us to go and see his wife pin on his wings.”

Pence and the military families took pictures together.

“So I just want you to know that we’re so proud of each and every one of you,” Pence said. “You military spouses are the home front heroes. You really are. You’re the ones that keep our military strong. You are what we like to call the backbone of the military.

She says when military people move, it makes it a challenge for the spouse to find a job.

“Military spouse employment is a very important aspect of a strong and resilient military family,” Pence said. “On behalf of so many Americans across the United States, thank you for your service. God Bless you and God Bless America.”

Pence said there are programs to find federal government jobs for military spouses jobs.

And nearly 400 private companies have helped 130,000 military spouses find work.

Related: Pence talks combating meth problem during Billings visit