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Caregiving is one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. For those supporting a veteran or military family member, the physical, emotional, and mental weight of that responsibility is real and significant. Many caregivers put their own needs last, and over time, that pattern takes a toll.

Burnout does not arrive all at once. It builds gradually, often disguising itself as exhaustion, irritability, or a quiet sense of feeling overwhelmed. Recognizing the signs early gives caregivers a chance to take action before burnout deepens.

Here are five signs caregiver burnout may be setting in, and some practical steps that can help.

1. You Feel Exhausted No Matter How Much You Sleep

Caregiver fatigue goes beyond physical tiredness. It is a deep, persistent exhaustion that rest alone does fix. Waking up depleted, struggling to get through the day, and feeling no relief even after sleep are all signs that your body and mind are under sustained stress.

Helpful approaches include:

2. You Have Withdrawn from People and Things You Once Enjoyed

Isolation is a common response to burnout. Caregivers may stop returning calls, step back from hobbies, or find themselves going through the motions of daily life without real engagement. This withdrawal often signals that personal reserves are running low.

Helpful approaches include:

3. You Feel Resentful and Then Guilty About It

Resentment is one of the more uncomfortable emotions caregivers experience, and guilt often follows. Frustration, exhaustion, or even grief over how life has changed are normal responses. These feelings do not mean a caregiver is doing something wrong. They often mean the caregiver needs more support.

Helpful approaches include:

4. Your Own Health Is Slipping

Skipped appointments, irregular sleep, poor eating habits, and persistent physical symptoms are common among caregivers who have been running on empty for too long. When your health takes a back seat, it increases risk, for both you and the person you care for. .

Helpful approaches include:

5. You Feel Like There Is No End in Sight

A persistent sense of hopelessness, or the feeling that asking for help is selfish, is a serious sign that burnout has taken hold. Every caregiver deserves support, relief, and a life that extends beyond their caregiving responsibilities.

Helpful approaches include:

You Are Not Alone

If any of these signs feel familiar, support is available and you deserve to use it. Many caregivers wait too long to ask for help. Reaching out early, whether to a peer, a professional, or a community resource, can make a meaningful difference.

At Mission Roll Call, we hear directly from veterans and their families about the challenges they face, and caregiver burnout is one of them. Your experience matters, and it places a critical role in shaping the support systems veterans and their families rely on.

Encourage the veteran you support to take our survey and share their voice. Together, we can fight for the resources and care that make a real difference, for them and for you.

For additional support, the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers resources, training, and financial support for eligible military caregivers. Operation Second Chance also provides resources for veterans and their families, offering retreats, direct assistance, and support programs at no cost.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and taking care of yourself is part of taking care of someone else.

You can explore more tools, services and communities by visiting our Resource Directory and searching “caregiver.”

There are briefings, checklists, and plenty of advice before a first deployment, but none of that fully prepares you for what it actually feels like. When the moment finally arrives, its not just a schedule change, it’s a deeply personal transition, filled with quiet adjustments, unexpected emotions, and small moments that can feel bigger than you anticipated. If you’re walking into this season for the first time, it’s okay to feel uncertain, emotional, or even overwhelmed. Many military spouses have stood exactly where you are.

Here are ten things that are rarely talked about before that first deployment, shared in a way that reflects what many military spouses come to understand along the way.

1. The Countdown Feels Different Than You Expect
Before deployment, time doesn’t move the same. Some days seem to fly by while others feel heavy with anticipation. The pressure to make every moment count can feel overwhelming.

2. The First Goodbye Doesn’t Feel Real
When they leave, it may take time for the reality to settle in. Many spouses describe feeling numb or going through the motions at first. This is a natural response to a major life change.

3. You’ll Become More Independent Than You Thought Possible
You may find yourself taking on responsibilities that once felt unfamiliar. Over time, handling these challenges can build confidence and a deeper sense of capability.

4. Loneliness Can Show Up in Unexpected Moments
Certain parts of the day can feel especially quiet. Everyday routines, like meals or evenings at home, can feel different in ways you didn’t expect.

5. Communication Isn’t Always Consistent
There may be gaps in communication that feel difficult. Waiting for updates can become part of the routine, and it often requires patience and understanding.

6. You Might Feel Guilty for Living Your Life
Even small moments of joy, like spending time with friends, can come with guilt. Many spouses experience this, and it’s a normal part of adjusting.

7. Support Doesn’t Always Come From Where You Expect
Some people will step in with encouragement and help in meaningful ways. Others may not fully understand your experience. Finding a supportive community can make a meaningful difference.

8. You’ll Discover Strength You Didn’t Know You Had
There will be moments that challenge you. Working through them can reveal resilience and strength that grows over time.

9. Reintegration Takes Time
When deployment ends, both of you may need time to adjust. Rebuilding routines and reconnecting often happens gradually.

10. You’re Not Alone
It may feel isolating, but you’re not alone. There is a community of military spouses who understand exactly what you’re going through, and reaching out can help you feel grounded.

A Shared Experience

Deployment changes daily life in ways that are both visible and subtle. It challenges routines, relationships, and emotional resilience, but it also reveals strength, adaptability, and connection.

If you are in this season, what you’re feeling is real, and it matters.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Mission Roll Call’s Veteran Resource Directory includes support for military spouses and families. Visit our resource directory and type “spouse” into the search bar, to find resources built to help you through every stage of this journey.

Operation Recap: March 2026 

March brought two powerful lenses into focus at once: what care really looks like when it goes beyond the walls of the VA, and women veterans who have shaped the veteran experience in ways that have too often been overlooked.

Whole-of-life care is the recognition that true wellness cannot be reduced to a clinic visit or a benefits form. It is medical treatment, yes, but it is also community connection, mental health support, financial stability, meaningful relationships, and a sense of belonging that follows a veteran long after their discharge papers are signed. This month, we explored what it means to expand access to that kind of care, and what stands in the way of veterans getting it.

We also spent March celebrating the women who have served and sacrificed quietly and powerfully for generations. Women veterans face a distinct set of barriers when it comes to accessing care, from gaps in VA services designed around a male veteran population to the invisible weight of being a caregiver while also needing care themselves. Women’s History Month was a reminder that whole-of-life care must include the whole of their story too.

Here’s what you might have missed:

Articles + Blogs

Featured article included:

MRC in the Media

Mission Roll Call ensured veterans’ voices remained front and center in national conversations throughout March.

Media features included:

Veterans Town Hall

Veterans joined CEO Jim Whaley and COO Ray Whitaker March 11 for the monthly town hall to discuss various topics impacting veterans over the last month and what the community needs most heading into the 2026 midterm season. The Rick Herrema Foundation also joined the conversation to share their work supporting military families.

Watch the March 11th Veteran Town Hall

Speak Up: Your Voice Matters

This month, Mission Roll Call launched its national midterm election survey, asking veterans to weigh in on one of the most consequential political moments of the year. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the decisions made in Washington will shape veteran policy, benefits, and care for years to come.

Take the April Veteran Survey

Small Gift, Big Mission

This month, Mission Roll Call launched the Small Gift, Big Mission campaign, a call to action rooted in a simple but powerful truth: decisions about veterans are made every day without their input. For as little as $5, supporters can help change that. Every dollar funds the surveys, research, and advocacy that bring verified veteran voices directly to the policymakers who control healthcare, benefits, and quality of life. This is not about funding noise. It is about funding clarity. Stand with those who stood for us.

Donate Today 

Returning home from deployment isn’t always a simple transition. Veterans face physical, emotional, and mental challenges that don’t end when boots hit civilian soil. Their families share that burden: spouses who held everything together, children who missed a parent, and communities that sometimes struggle to understand what “coming home” really means.

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, one nonprofit is changing that story. The Rick Herrema Foundation (RHF) creates spaces where veterans and their loved ones can reconnect, heal, and simply be together, without paperwork, without stigma, and without a cost.

Honoring a Hero Through Community 

The foundation is named for Sgt. 1st Class Rick Herrema, a U.S. Army Special Operations soldier who gave his life in Iraq. Those who served alongside him remember him not just for his skill and professionalism, but for something harder to define and impossible to forget.

“Rick was the kind of person who made everyone around him feel lighter, even in the hardest moments,” the foundation shares. “He had a gift for showing up with humor when things were heavy, and with quiet strength when someone needed support. His teammates remember him for his warmth, his kindness, and the way he instinctively looked out for others.”

That spirit is the heartbeat of the Rick Herrema Foundation. Rick believed deeply in taking care of people, and everything RHF does is built to carry that forward.

Rick’s Place: More Than a Park 

At the heart of RHF’s work is Rick’s Place, a 50-acre greenspace near Fort Bragg. It’s not a therapy center or a clinical program. It’s a place for families to breathe, laugh, and reconnect.

Trails wind through shaded areas. Playgrounds, swings, and a 3-story treehouse invite kids to explore. Fire pits and picnic areas provide spots for families to gather. From a sandbox filled with toys and a pond with a fishing dock to a pavilion with picnic tables and outdoor libraries, every corner of Rick’s Place is thoughtfully designed to spark connection.

What makes Rick’s Place truly special is its simplicity. There are no forms to fill out, no qualifications to meet, and no stigma in asking for help. Families just show up. They laugh, play, and leave a little lighter than when they arrived. Every program and event is completely free of charge, because as the RHF puts it, “cost should never be the reason someone misses out on joy and connection.”

 

Programs That Bring Families Together  

The RHF hosts weekly programs that are thoughtfully designed to turn strangers into community. Messy Mondays invite parents and children to create art together. Work Days encourage hands-on projects like carpentry or gardening, building both skills and camaraderie. Family Fun Days bring games, community meals, and seasonal celebrations to families.

For the Meadows family, these programs have become a cornerstone of their life in Fayetteville:

“RHF has been a monumental part of my family being able to get out and have fun. There is time and effort put into each event and program, with genuine care for the community. My kids and I enjoy the Messy Mondays, which bring so much joy while we learn new art techniques together. The staff working those days are awesome and always make my kids feel valued. We also enjoyed the theater classes available and it was amazing to watch my kids grow in confidence, resilience, and compassion. The experiences we have at RHF are unforgettable, along with the friendships we have made. My family will always cherish our times there.” — The  Meadows Family

A Safe Haven for Military Families  

Life after deployment, and even during it, can feel isolating. Frequent moves uproot families from their communities, children leave friends behind, and spouses carry enormous weight. Rick’s Place offers something rare: a soft landing.

The Garza family knows that feeling firsthand. After 14 years stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington State, their first Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move to Fayetteville was hard on everyone, especially their children, ages 9 and 11, who had never experienced a military move before.

“Our first stop in moving was to attend the Rick Herrema Foundation’s summer event. We appreciated that it was free (because PCSing had financially hurt us) and that it was all military families. We immediately felt welcomed and supported by the RHF staff and families. Further, RHF stepped up to sponsor our daughter’s ballet performance in the local production of the Nutcracker. When we had a difficult time finding businesses to support her, it was RHF who saw the importance of activities for military children. Now, a year in Fayetteville, we continue to attend RHF events and each one further helps us feel connected and a part of a greater military community. We are truly thankful for RHF.” — The Garza Family

Rick’s Place reminds military families that they are not alone, that there is a community ready to welcome them, no matter where the military has taken them.

The Ninja Warrior Course: Fun as a Form of Service 

RHF’s signature Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Challenge is coming up, and it reflects everything the foundation stands for. Completely free to military-affiliated participants and designed for all ages and ability levels, the course was created by Darren Jeffrey, the visionary behind the American Ninja Warrior obstacle courses and a proud RHF Board Member.

“It’s about encouragement, confidence, and having fun together, not competition or being ‘the strongest,’” the RHF shares. “Whether you’re tackling obstacles, cheering from the sidelines, or just soaking in the energy, there’s a place for everyone here.”

When You See It Working

For the team at RHF, the mission comes to life in the stories families share. The Richmond family’s words stopped them in their tracks:

“They are our family away from home. As a military family, we recommend Rick’s Place to all active and non-active military personnel!” — The Richmond Family

“Hearing a family describe Rick’s Place as their ‘family away from home’ is exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why this foundation exists,” the RHF shares. “Rick had a way of making people feel welcomed, supported, and seen. When families experience that same sense of belonging here, his legacy lives on.”

Expanding the Reach 

As of last year, Rick’s Place has served more than 22,000 military family members and plans to reach more this year. And RHF isn’t stopping there. Programs are expanding to Fort Hood, Texas, an opportunity that came directly from the III Corps Commander, who was seeking a trusted community resource for his soldiers and their families.

“What has surprised us most is how deeply people believe in this work,” the RHF reflects. “True patriots — donors, volunteers, partners — continue to stand with us because they recognize that service members and their families already pay a cost to serve. They should not have to pay to connect with each other or their community.”

A Living Legacy  

Rick’s Place is, at its core, a reflection of the man it honors. Someone who showed up. Who looked out for others. Who made everyone around him feel a little lighter. That is what the foundation does, and that is what keeps families coming back.

If you are in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg region, Rick’s Place is open and waiting. If you are in Central Texas, keep an eye out as RHF continues to grow. And if you want to support the mission, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. From training to events, you can witness history in the making and cheer on the families finding their footing together.

The Conversation Continues   

Recently, the Rick Herrema Foundation sat down with Mission Roll Call CEO Jim Whaley and COO Ray Whitaker for a town hall conversation focused on the issues impacting veterans and military families. If you missed it, the recording is worth your time. Stay connected with Mission Roll Call and keep showing up for the veterans and military families who need us to amplify their voices.

Valentine’s Day is often filled with flowers, chocolates, and fleeting gestures of affection. But for Betty Daniels, love has never been fleeting. Love has been a lifetime, steady, patient, and deeply rooted in devotion to her late husband, Frank Daniels.

For more than seventy years, Betty stood beside Frank through every season of life. She was there when he joined the Navy at just seventeen years old. She was there when he returned home and later changed careers to become a band teacher. She was there as they raised twelve children and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was there when Frank needed her most, as his caregiver. And even now, after he is gone, she is still there, carrying a love that never faded.

How It All Began

Betty and Frank met when they were only fifteen years old, in the 1940s, on Betty’s family farm where seed corn was being raised. One day, Betty noticed a young man working the fields for the seed corn company.

“There was just one thing,” she laughs. “He was smoking a cigarette in the cornfield, and that was a big no-no.”

Even so, she noticed him, and before long, he noticed her too.

Their paths crossed again at the free outdoor movie nights in the small town of Footville. Families gathered under the stars, blankets spread across the lawn, watching movies projected onto a big screen behind the bank. Frank would wander over, first teasing Betty by stealing her hair ribbons, then sitting closer and closer on the edge of her blanket.
“I fell pretty hard right away,” Betty says. “And I was thrilled that he liked me too.”

When Frank’s family moved to a nearby town, Betty worried about all those girls he might meet. But Frank kept coming back, sometimes hitchhiking, sometimes walking miles just to see her.

“We girls liked that,” she says with a smile. “When someone is willing to go the extra miles.”

When asked if it was love at first sight, Betty does not hesitate.

“Yes,” she says softly. “It really was.”

Love in the Midst of Service

Frank joined the U.S. Navy on his seventeenth birthday in 1945. Though the war was nearing its end, his decision to serve spoke volumes about who he was.
“He wanted to do his part,” Betty says. “That told me a lot about him.”

Communication during that time was limited. There were no quick phone calls or instant updates. Only letters. Betty remembers living from letter to letter, waiting anxiously for news.

“I didn’t even know he had left until I got a letter from Texas,” she recalls. “He was so homesick.”

Frank was stationed in Galveston, Texas, working at a Navy discharge center. While he did not see combat, his service mattered deeply. He helped soldiers returning home, many of whom had not seen their families in years.

One story still stands out. Frank once used a military vehicle, against the rules, to drive a soldier just a few miles so the man could finally see his family after two long years apart.

“He just wanted to help him,” Betty says. “That was Frank. He had such a good heart.”

For Betty, being a spouse to a veteran and his caregiver was not just a role, it was a calling. While Frank served, she supported him from afar as his girlfriend, and after his service, she devoted herself to caring for him and their family. As a young woman, she had been part of the generation known as Rosie the Riveter, doing her own part during World War II.

That sense of duty, of showing up when needed, shaped how she approached marriage, motherhood, and life.

A Family Built on Love and Service

When Frank returned home, the life they dreamed of began to unfold. Together, they raised twelve children in a home filled with noise, laughter, and love.
“It was a lot of work,” Betty admits. “But it was a lot of love, too.”

Several of their children went on to serve in the military, and later, grandchildren continued that legacy. To Betty, this was never surprising.
“There was such a strong sense of patriotism back then,” she says. “Everyone wanted to do what they could for their country.”

The values of service, integrity, and commitment were woven into everyday life and passed down to Frank and Betty’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Lessons from a Lifetime of Love
Even after Frank retired, Betty continued to support him, this time as his caregiver. She advocated for him, cared for him, and ensured his later years were filled with dignity and love.

“It was just another way of loving him,” she says.

Looking back, Betty believes the secret to a long and loving marriage was simple: doing everything together.

“When we first married, we decided we would never make major decisions alone,” she explains. “Husbands and wives are a team. Why would a team go separate ways?”

That teamwork carried them through raising children, building careers, and navigating life’s hardest moments.

Pride in a Family Legacy

When asked what she is most proud of, Betty does not hesitate.

“Our children,” she says.

Each one is different, she explains, but they share something deeply important. They care for one another.

“They help each other. They are good people,” she says. “That is the legacy.”

She considers each child a gift from God and gives thanks daily for the family she and Frank built together.

Honoring Frank, Celebrating a Lifetime Together

Frank passed away a year and half ago, but his presence is still felt in every story Betty tells. Family traditions like reading the same story each year, now shared with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

When asked what message she would share with young couples or military families today, Betty’s words are simple and heartfelt.

“Don’t forget your man in the military. Write letters. Fly your flag. Observe patriotic days. We are so fortunate to live in the United States of America. Don’t take that for granted.”

The Daniels family story reminds us that service and love are deeply intertwined. Behind every uniform is a spouse, a parent, a caregiver, and a family holding the line with quiet strength. And behind every veteran is a love story, often untold, that shapes not just a marriage, but generations.

This Valentine’s Day, Betty’s story is a powerful reminder that true love endures by shows up, making sacrifices, and being consistent.

For Betty, love has never been about grand gestures or fleeting moments. It has always been about a lifetime of presence, service, and devotion. Through that love, Frank’s memory and their family legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.

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