DOVER — City officials want to shine a spotlight — as well as say thank you — to all of the community's military caregivers.

To make sure that happens, the city honored the individuals as "Hidden Heroes" in a proclamation signed by Dover officials earlier this month. Dover is the latest Idaho city to join the nationwide program, with Bonners Ferry, Priest River, Moyie Springs, Sandpoint, and Bonner and Boundary counties previously joining the program. In total, more than 50 proclamations have been issued to date as part of the effort to raise awareness about the challenges faced by military caregivers.

Those challenges can include daily tasks such as bathing, feeding and caring for the injuries of wounded soldiers, providing emotional support, and serving as the main economic provider of their families.

"The nation provides multifaceted support to our wounded, ill and injured veterans and service members through public, private and philanthropic resources but their caregivers receive little support or acknowledgment," Dover's proclamation reads. "Most military and veteran caregivers consider the challenging work they do as simply carrying out their civic and patriotic duty without realizing they are, in fact, caregivers, and do not identify themselves as such."

The proclamation was brought to Dover by members of the Wild Horse Trail chapter of the Idaho Daughters of the American Revolution. City officials said the group asked for the city's participation in bringing awareness through a formal proclamation.

"The intent of the proclamation is to bring recognition to and encourage support of those who serve the vital roles of caregiving to our military and veteran service members," Dover City Clerk Michele Hutchings said.

The Hidden Heroes program, which was launched in 2016 by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, was spearheaded in Idaho by the Idaho Daughters of the Revolution. Local DAR members sought for the city's participation in the program as a way to raise awareness about and honor families and caregivers of the community's veterans. 

The program raises awareness about the issues military caregivers face, brings critical resources to those caring for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, and connects military caregivers to a community of peers.

As part of the program, cities, counties and states help identify local military caregivers as well as help connect them with community resources and vital support. 

The Idaho State Society Daughters of the American Revolution began the campaign to encourage cities and counties in February 2024. In Idaho, DAR has almost 900 members in 15 chapters in every corner of the state. Locally, the Wild Horse Trail Chapter serves communities in Boundary and Bonner counties.

Information: hiddenheroes.org