Tom Hanks Joins Campaign To Support Military Caregivers

The campaign was founded by former senator Elizabeth Dole after her own experience with caregiving. Dole’s husband, WWII veteran and former presidential candidate Bob Dole, spent nearly a year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center a few years back ― an experience that opened her eyes to the unique plight of caregivers.

Dole participated in the conversation remotely from Washington, D.C., surrounded by 50 military caregivers.

Hanks was joined in-studio by Jessica Allen. Allen is now a full-time caregiver to her husband, who was seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2011, losing both legs just above the knee.

“As an infantry wife, you prepare for one of two options ― they come home safe, or they come home in a box,’’ Allen said. “The Army does not prepare you for the in-between, and the in-between never ends.”

Indeed, many people are thrust into the role without any preparation and are often faced with difficult challenges like financial strains and career concerns.

Hanks stressed the importance of acknowledging the military caregivers in our local communities and offering support.

“It will be astounding how a tiny bit of help can alter the lives of those people,” he said.

Let’s support our veterans by supporting those who love and care for them most.

h/t TODAY