Former Senator Elizabeth Dole at the American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis spotlighted what she calls a crisis facing caregivers for veterans, calling for a “national response” to help them. Accepting the group’s Distinguished Service Award, Dole told Legion members, “Each of you in your posts can do your part to assist the veteran caregivers in your community, through our “Hidden Heroes” cities.” Dole says leaders of “Hidden Heroes” cities pledge to connect with veteran caregivers in their community. She says the mayors of Minneapolis and Saint Paul made the commitment this week.
Dole says veteran caregivers’ duties take an “enormous toll” in isolation, health problems, family strain and financial trouble. Dole says the nation has made tremendous progress in helping veteran caregivers but “there’s much more work to be done.”