A Memorial Day Salute to Wounded Warrior Caregivers
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a memorial day salute to wounded warrior caregivers A Special Report Prepared by The Washington Times Advocacy Department How America is rallying around the ‘hidden heroes’ who care for our wounded warriors While we still have a very long road taking to simplify the tremendously busy members of Congress to share their front- ahead of us, the accomplishments we lives of those caring for our wounded, line stories of what they have gained for have made in support of our caregivers and offer them better guidance and sup- themselves and for their loved ones, and have been remarkable. Our response has port. We also heard from Tom Hanks, via what they still needed. been holistic in the issues it has ad- a special video message, that he is com- I think back to the days when I first dressed and the organizations that have mitted to leading a national awareness met these hidden heroes, anchored to the offered support, and coordinated to es- campaign to tell every American about side of their loved ones yet humbly blend- tablish common priorities, build partner- the service and value of our military and ing in with the background. I couldn’t ships and collaborate on the way ahead. veteran caregivers. help but sit on the stage at this week’s We knew a societal issue of this signifi- Our foundation began this week with summit with a smile on my face and a cance would never be solved with a single a private reception for our Dole Caregiver tear in my eye, witnessing the progress donation, a newly established program or Fellows with Donald Trump, who had we’ve made and the caregiver voices that the swift stroke of a pen. Rather, it would asked to meet some of our caregivers are now heard at the highest levels of our be born from the cooperation of people after I shared their extraordinary stories nation. from all sectors willing to break down with him. Donald was so moved by what Military families have served our na- barriers and come together to pursue a he heard that he announced a gener- tion for nearly 240 years, and it is truly cause greater than themselves. ous donation to our foundation to help inspiring to see America come together This week, my foundation gathered us continue our work to better support around the loved ones caring for our By Elizabeth Dole with caregivers, private and public caregivers. wounded, ill and injured warriors in the experts, government officials, nonprofits, The week concluded with an inspir- ways that they need and deserve. It’s hard to believe it was just over a leaders of faith and philanthropists at the ing interfaith and congressional prayer As we look ahead to a weekend that year ago that we released an eye-opening Ronald Reagan Building and International breakfast reception with Pastor Joel honors the men and women who gave report from the RAND Corporation Trade Center in Washington, D.C., to take Osteen, Sen. Johnny Isakson and the their lives for our freedom, we know identifying the needs and gaps in support stock of the progress already made and co-chairs of our Hidden Heroes Congres- that we are truly blessed to have hidden facing the “hidden heroes” of America’s address the work that still needs to be sional Caucus, House Minority Leader heroes comforting and caring for the war- wars: the spouses, family members and done. We shared stories of allied groups Nancy Pelosi, Sens. John McCain and Jack riors who are thankfully still with us. friends who have dedicated their lives to working together, funders teaming with Reed and Rep. Jeff Miller. Pastor Osteen caring for our wounded, ill and injured service providers and ideas, resources was our first faith leader to pledge his Elizabeth Dole is a former U.S. Sena- warriors. These brave women and men and best practices being shared across the commitment to our military and veteran tor from North Carolina, a former U.S. — just like the heroes they are caring for board without pride of ownership. caregivers, and this year he brought pas- transportation secretary under Presi- — are making a commitment of service Our nation’s top leaders turned out tors from across America to join him in dent Ronald Reagan, a former U.S. labor TMENT that will stretch for decades. And yet our to assure caregivers that they too stood supporting our mission. secretary under President George H.W. par E nation overlooked their critical role for at their side. First lady Michelle Obama We enjoyed the company of many Bush and the founder of the Elizabeth far too long, leaving them to care for our shared how she has continued to fulfill national leaders this week, yet the stars Dole Foundation, which created the Car- wounded without the support they need her promise to America’s caregivers of these events, though you may not ing for Military Families program. cacy d O or deserve. through her Joining Forces initiative. know them by name, were the caregivers I am proud to say, one year later, Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDon- themselves. They took to the stage and to adv America is beginning to close those gaps. ald outlined the steps his department is the media and to the offices of nearly 200 MES Ti ngton i SH Wa THE Every day, military and veteran caregivers are serving our nation. Spouses, parents, children, and other loved ones are helping our wounded warriors live d by d by E with and recover from multiple and serious wounds, illnesses, and injuries, At the Foundation, we are always par both visible and invisible. E r MES i looking for innovative ideas that p Five and a half million of these military and veteran caregivers are day-in and T r O day-out providing emotional and physical support and tending to the daily will uplift military families at a time p E lives of the men and women who have served our nation. For too long, we NGTON T NGTON i – for many of them – when they have overlooked the immeasurable contributions of these caregivers. ey SH a cial r are truly our nation’s hidden heroes. need help the most E Sp a e Elizabeth Dole Foundation seeks to both raise awareness of this societal THE W - Senator Elizabeth Dole | crisis and strengthen the services a orded to our military and veteran caregivers through evidence-based research, innovation and collaboration. roughout May, as our nation commemorates Military Appreciation Month, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation is ensuring that America also pauses to honor these hidden heroes who care for those who cared for us. Friday • May 22 • 2015 • May Friday 2 For more information and why we must help, please go to www.elizabethdolefoundation.org A salute to homefront heroes By Oliver North expenses they incurred while in the and Tom Kilgannon hospital. After Deane was cleared to travel, Freedom Alliance sent them to ats off to The Washington the beach in Florida for a much-needed Times for using Military Ap- respite. preciation Month to shine a “The whole trip was amazing,” Stacy light on the war on terror’s told us. She said they enjoyed their unsung heroes — military favorite activities and shared some caregivers. These selfless in- overdue laughs. But the best part came dividuals are the parents and siblings — later in the week. Hbut more often the spouses — of soldiers, A baby-sitter was arranged so sailors, airmen and Marines recovering Deane and Stacy could spend time from the painful and horrific wounds of alone. It was the first time Stacy and war. her husband enjoyed a dinner to- As The Times’ monthlong series gether — just the two of them — in reveals, many of these homefront years. After dinner, they went for a heroes are forced to leave their jobs walk on the beach. They walked and and endure lost income to serve as the talked. They were relaxed and uninter- primary health care advocate for the rupted and able to enjoy each other’s one they love. Very often a caregiver’s company. own health deteriorates as a result of They found a dock in a quiet spot, the around-the-clock attention given to sat down in the moonlight and contin- their combat-wounded loved one. ued their conversation. Stacy explained Like too many women in our soci- it this way: ety, they don’t get the recognition they “Magic happened out there that deserve. Because of the incompetence night. You have to understand that in the Veterans Affairs Department, the Deane had been through so much [dur- astronomical cost of health care, and ing his deployments and injuries] and I the complexity of navigating the bu- didn’t understand it. But that night was reaucracy of military medicine, wives picturesque — we just sat on the dock of the wounded perform not only the and talked. We reconnected.” role of devoted spouse, but they also For the first time since he returned A SP take on responsibilities of various home, Deane told Stacy some of what E medical professionals. he had experienced in war. They talked C IA Her roles are not limited to that for hours under the stars. They con- L R of wife and best friend. She is also a fided in one another and confronted E P counselor, nurse, therapist, encourager their fears. They recommitted them- O R T and enforcer. She often acts as the selves to each other. P traffic cop who adjudicates conflicting By the time they headed home, their R E P advice from multiple doctors and spots relationship was on a better path.