OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire marked the five-year anniversary of the U.S. involvement in the War in Iraq by highlighting a few bills designed to help soldiers and their families.

The governor on Wednesday signed a bill that allows military spouses to take 15 days of unpaid leave when their loved ones come home from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We will give our military families an opportunity to connect," the governor said.

Army wife Caedmon Cahill first brought the case to the Capitol this legislative session. Her husband, an Army captain, has been serving in Afghanistan for the past ten months, but he was allowed to come home on leave for the bill signing.

"Yes, it's been the most important 18 days of my entire life," said Cahill. "The past 10 months I was, every hour, looking forward to his arrival. So I can't really explain how important this time has been."

The pair says the time together, albeit short, is vital to the marriage.

"(It's great) to have dedicated time off to work every day for ten months and be able to come back here and relax and not worry about whether or not we'll be able to hang out of if she'll have to go to work," said Capt. Leo Flor.

With military veteran and First Gentleman Mike Gregoire looking on, the governor was also eager to sign a bill for special license plates for parents of fallen soldiers.

Myra Rintamaki lost her son Marine Cpl. Steven Rintamaki three years ago in Iraq.

"That was his duty. He went, he served and I honor him for that service and that sacrifice," she said.

Now, the governor said, there is a way to give Rintamaki and others their due honor.

"These special plates will recognize and honor those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice," the governor said.