Veteran couples who support each other, from left: Gretchen and Bob Evans; Marcus and Briarly Wilson. Courtesy Gretchen and Bob Evans; Courtesy Marcus and Briarly Wilson Facebook Twitter

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Veterans Day is a time when our country collectively focuses on the sacrifice and commitment our nation’s veterans have made since the founding of this country. 

Beyond the parades and speeches, the raised flags and the “thanks for your service” nods, thousands of military families, some of whom have been injured, live and work in local communities

Like any shared activity, commonalities such as serving in the armed forces can create the glue. While everyone would admit that caregiving is exhausting and selfless work, the veteran

caregivers I spoke with who are helping a loved one have a bond that goes beyond simply family.  

Gretchen and Bob Evans, 63 and 69, from Northlake, Texas, met in Afghanistan in 2005. He was a chaplain in the Navy; she was a command sergeant major in the Army (the most senior enlisted

person, noncommissioned officer). “The hardest day we have is the Army/Navy game,” jokes Bob.

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The couple formed a deep friendship while working together in Afghanistan, but a romantic relationship was out of the question while working for the same commanding officer. In 2006 Bob

returned to his role as a senior Navy chaplain stateside but continued to think about Gretchen.

“She’s a genius who could lead men and women with compassion and care, but she was also one of the most enthusiastic people I’d ever met,” he says. 

During a particularly chaotic time in the war, Bob emailed Gretchen to see how the troops were.

“At the end of my email, I asked if she would ever be romantically inclined toward me,” remembers Bob. When she came back to the U.S. on furlough, she and Bob connected, and he asked her to

marry him.