Redmond military caregiver travels to D.C. to help launch campaign

Redmond resident Christa Cox represented Oregon’s military and veteran caregivers as a Dole Caregiver Fellow with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at a special event Tuesday in Washington, D.C..

Actor Tom Hanks, NBC anchor and reporter Tom Brokaw, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald joined Senator Elizabeth Dole to launch Hidden Heroes, a groundbreaking campaign created by the Foundation to call vital attention to America’s 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers.

The event was one of the highlights of a week that has also included meeting with Members of Congress and will continue Wednesday with a first-of-its-kind convening co-hosted by the Foundation and Department of Veterans Affairs to project the future needs of those caring for those who have served.

As campaign chair, Hanks presided over Tuesday’s launch, which included a series of major announcements and commitments that will bring critical resources to those caring for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans.

“If we want to be a nation that truly cares for those who have borne the battle, we must also be a nation that cares for our caregivers,” said Hanks as he called on public leaders, corporations, nonprofits and individual Americans to each do their part.

Addressing what she hopes to accomplish through the campaign, Senator Dole said, “The Elizabeth Dole Foundation envisions an America where military caregivers are empowered, appreciated and recognized for their service to the nation. Together, are working towards a future where supporting military caregivers is no longer a cause, but it is part of the culture of our nation.”

The senator went on to announce additional national initiatives already underway as part of the campaign and introduce the leaders of the first organizations to make commitments:

Two of the Foundation’s earliest supporters, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald, spoke to the need of a national campaign for military caregivers.

The U.S. Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs have both taken steps to ease the challenges of those caring for service members and veterans. Yet, they echoed Senator Dole’s call for every American to recognize and support these hidden heroes.