Ray & Pat

Dempsey 

Dennis & Donna

Joyner

Alexis & Jason

Courneen

Brad & Donna 

Barton

Dave & Yvonne

Riley

Mary Ann 
Keckler

 MEET AMERICA'S UNSUNG HEROES 

No

Children

Over

18

Under 12

12-18

 THE UNSUNG HEROES INITIATIVE

Family caregivers are one of the most critical components of a severely disabled veteran’s recovery and rehabilitation, helping them live to their highest potential. Yet the American public is largely unaware of the sacrifices these men and women make on a daily basis.

​

The Unsung Heroes Initiative is DAV's national campaign to bring awareness to the selfless service of the nation's veteran caregivers, as well as the many unique challenges - and in some cases, inequities - they face. 

Who cares for America's severely disabled veterans? According to DAV's 2017 Veteran Family Caregiver Survey, the following breakdown represents the makeup of today's veteran caregiver population.

4% have been a caregiver for 1 year or less

How long caregivers have served

84.3%

female

15.7%

male

91.2%

female

8.8%

male

Gender (Pre-9/11)

Gender (Post-9/11)

8.5%

child

78.8%

spouse

6.6%

friend

1.9%

parent

2.0%

sibling

2.5%

other

 CAREGIVER STATISTICS 

30% have been caregivers for 10 years or more

26% have been caregivers between 5 to 9 years

23% have been a caregiver between 3 to 4 years

18% have been a caregiver between 1 to 2 years

Relationship to veteran