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The journey of military families is too often marked by service, sacrifice and resilience — even long before their loved ones’ uniforms are finally laid to rest. For many in the Rio Grande Valley, the experience of caring for a household member with duty-related challenges brings its own quiet struggles, with moments of anxiety, hopelessness and grief frequently converging all at once.

Worse, by the time a veteran passes away, families are left not only to mourn but also to confront financial and practical challenges that can feel overwhelming and threaten their stability. As such, as communities across the region continue to honor the valor of service members, it is also crucial to remember that this recognition alone falls far short. The nation must acknowledge the dedication and respond to the enduring hurdles of military households, much more so of veterans’ survivors striving to hold their families together amid profound loss and uncertainty.

Military service can leave lasting imprints long after a veteran returns home. This is because, besides combat’s physical and emotional demands, thousands of these individuals — including a large number of more than 38,400 retirees in the Valley — have also encountered perilous substances during their decades of deployment.

Notorious among these are asbestos commonly found in old Navy ships, volatile organic compounds in petroleum products and cleaning agents, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances embedded in firefighting foams. Unfortunately, before authorities discovered the toxicity of these chemicals, they had already become widespread across countless military bases nationwide.

True to this, Naval Air Station Kingsville — almost 100 miles from the Valley — reported asbestos-containing materials used in some of its buildings. The nearby Naval Air Station Corpus Christi also reported contamination, as detected PFAS compounds alarmingly exceeded 800,000 parts per trillion.

Regrettably, these exposures have eventually brought profound repercussions for veterans and their families. Many service members developed chronic illnesses — including different types of cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy complications, hypertension and immune system disorders — that slowly altered their daily dynamics.

And because these diagnoses are neither anticipated nor prepared for, many families are consequently thrust into circumstances that demand immediate decision and appropriate intervention.

In many cases, spouses or parents step up and become primary caregivers. However, this role entails significant time and attention, which may compel them to reduce their working hours or even withdraw completely from the workforce — ultimately decreasing household income.

At the same time, mounting medical bills, hospital transportation expenses and home modifications can likewise exacerbate the already-escalating financial strain. By the time a veteran surrenders to death, the remaining loved ones are often left not only with a permanent loss but also with economic and administrative responsibilities they have to deal with indefinitely.

When a service-related disease sadly claims a veteran’s life, families are usually left to navigate myriad challenges that extend beyond grief. To help ease this heavy burden, the country’s Department of Veterans Affairs has implemented the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program. offering financial support to eligible spouses, children, and, in certain cases, parents.

Specifically, those widowed by veterans who perished on or after Jan. 1, 1993, may receive a tax-exempt monthly compensation of almost $1,700, as long as they have not entered another marriage before turning 55 or 57 years old, depending on the conditions. Such an amount may also be augmented if the veteran had a total disability, the spouse was diagnosed with a disability, or a minor child still lives in the same household.

Notwithstanding the crucial aid provided by DIC, lawmakers and veteran organizations continue to examine how well the program meets the needs of affected families. This review is particularly timely when considering other federal survivor benefit systems, which calculate support differently and may provide higher replacement rates tied to prior earnings.

For example, survivors of federal civilian employees can receive up to 55% of the retiree’s unreduced annual annuity — a structure that reflects both years of service and salary.

In contrast, DIC offers a fixed monthly payment that does not vary based on a veteran’s rank, length of service or lifetime earnings.

Beyond DIC, several additional programs like the Survivors’ Pension, CHAMPVA healthcare coverage and educational and career assistance were also made available to concerned military families. Yet while each of these measures indeed contributes practical relief, their scope and eligibility requirements may still define the households’ access to the needed benefits.

Looking ahead, government programs can continue to play an important role in supporting veterans’ survivors after a service-related loss. Ensuring that eligible survivors are aware of the full range of benefits, providing guidance on navigating applications and coordinating resources can help families maximize the support available to them.

In addition, periodic reviews of benefit structures and eligibility criteria can also help guarantee that programs remain aligned with the needs of modern military households. Through these decisive actions, government support can provide both stability and practical assistance, helping families in the Rio Grande Valley and across the country manage the ongoing challenges that follow the heartbreaking demise of a veteran.

Cristina Johnson is a veteran advocate at the Asbestos Ships Organization.