Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch, Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher, East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman, Moline Mayor Stephanie Acri and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms pledged their support to the Quad-Cities’ military and veteran caregivers by becoming Hidden Heroes cities Friday at the Figge Art Museum.
All five City Councils passed proclamations in support of Hidden Heroes. Watch video of the event
here.
The Hidden Heroes Cities Program, part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign, is a growing network of more than 100 cities, from San Antonio to New York, from Washington D.C., to San Diego, committed to better serving military and veteran caregivers through local services and support.
Trish Simester, a Dole Caregiver Fellow from the state of Iowa who is a registered nurse and works in a local nursing home, will speak on behalf of local caregivers. One of the first in the nation to complete Veterans Administration caregivers program, Simester is also caregiver for Michael, her husband of 22 years.
Davenport Alderman Mike Matson, 7th Ward, a U.S. Army veteran and ROTC instructor at Davenport Central High School, will speak about the experiences of veterans and of military families.
Hidden Heroes raises awareness about the issues military caregivers face, and brings critical resources to those caring for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. By becoming Hidden Heroes cities, Davenport, Bettendorf, East Moline, Moline and Rock Island commit to helping identify local military caregivers and connecting them to a community of their peers – all while deepening community resources to offer vital support.
Additionally, the Hidden Heroes Campaign brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a safe, secure place where caregivers can meet and access carefully vetted resources at HiddenHeroes.org. Hidden Heroes cities identify military caregivers in their communities and local resources to support them.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers – spouses, parents, family members and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured veterans at home.