Savannah Guthrie Honors Veterans’ Caregivers at Hidden Heroes Event
By Movieguide® Contributor
TODAY host Savannah Guthrie honored those who care for U.S. military veterans at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes event.
While there are 6 million veteran caregivers in the U.S., many receive little to no recognition for their work. The Hidden Heroes program raises awareness and makes their often overlooked service known.
“This organization, Hidden Heroes, means so much to me,” said Guthrie. As an ambassador for the program, she is thankful that the program can shine a light on those who serve “in the shadows.”
“Just so honored to be with our incredible military caregivers and highlight their stories,” Guthrie shared on Instagram. She also congratulated Marine Corps veteran and STAR WARS actor Adam Driver, who was awarded the 2023 Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award.
“We’re so excited to announce Marine Corps veteran and actor Adam Driver as the 2023 recipient of our Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award, in recognition of his outstanding support of military and veteran caregivers and all who serve,” the Elizabeth Dole Foundation wrote on Instagram.
The sacrifice that these caregivers make is truly incredible as they put their lives on hold to serve their loved ones.
Chris Traumer, for example, cares for his father, James, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
“When I was a kid, I didn’t know much about my dad’s service because he didn’t talk much about it,” Traumer said. This resulted in a lot of “bitterness and resentment” as he struggled with his father’s actions, which he now realized were fueled by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Despite the rocky relationship, Traumer quit his job as an NYPD sergeant in 2015 to care for his father after he suffered a stroke. In doing so, he has built the “relationship they never had” and “made up for time lost.”
The Hidden Heroes program was created to help people like Traumer, whose service as a military veteran caregiver goes largely unnoticed. The program was created as a part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to care for military families.
After Dole’s husband, politician and former presidential nominee Bob Dole, underwent medical treatment at the Walter Reed Medical Center in 2012, she created her foundation to give back and help military families. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation provides aid to military families by raising awareness, driving research, creating policy and collaborating with other groups.
Movieguide® previously reported on veteran aid:
“Supporting our nation’s heroes is my lifelong mission and I will continue to serve it faithfully,” Sinise shared. “It’s an honor to be recognized and the best part is that I get to, in turn, shine a light and recognize the true heroes who serve our country.”
In 2011, Sinise launched the Gary Sinise Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support and fundraising for veterans.
“The mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation is broad, and this is a reflection of the needs I’ve seen over the many years supporting so many amazing organizations,” the actor explained. “And the Foundation’s mission is designed to also give us the freedom and flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our veterans, first responders, and the families who sacrifice alongside them.”
Sinise has spent years supporting the armed forces and veterans and frequently speaks about his admiration for them.
