Kootenai County proclaims support for veteran caregivers

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County commissioners issued a proclamation Tuesday recognizing the hidden heroes who provide caregiving for veterans. 

The county collaborated on the proclamation with Idaho's Daughters of the American Revolution, part of a national women’s service organization whose members are directly descended from patriots of the American revolution. 

“The series of wars and conflicts in which our nation has been engaged over time, since World War II, has resulted in 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers who are parents, spouses, siblings and friends, caring for those wounded, ill or injured who have served our nation,” the proclamation said. 

The daily tasks of these caregivers can include bathing, feeding and dressing, administering medicine and tending to injuries, providing emotional support and working outside the home to earn essential income. 

“The nation provides multi-faceted support to our wounded, ill and injured veterans and service members through public, private and philanthropic resources, but their caregivers receive little support to acknowledgement,” the proclamation said. “Most military and veteran caregivers consider the challenging work they do as simply carrying out their civic and patriotic duty.” 

Since February, the Idaho State Society Daughters of the American Revolution have campaigned in cities and counties across the state to raise awareness of the challenges faced by military caregivers. 

Statewide, more than 50 proclamations have been issued so far. The cities of Hauser and Rathdrum have issued similar proclamations this year. 

By making the proclamation, Kootenai County “seeks to commend military and veteran caregivers residing in our communities” and “encourages all who care for and support veterans and service members to extend that support to their caregivers.”