Kristen Berg, a Clearfield County woman has received national recognition for her work as a military caregiver. The Elizabeth Dole foundation, started by Senator Dole, has named Kristen a fellow for 2017. This is an honor only one other person in the state has received this year. The foundation focuses on recognition and awareness for those who care of the nation’s wounded service members.
However, Kristen doesn’t look at what she does as extraordinary. She says taking care of her husband is part of her everyday life, she doesn’t know any different. Sergeant Beren Berg did two tours over in Iraq, in 2004 and 2012. During his tour in 2004, he was exposed to a blast from a an M1 Abram Main Tank Round. When Sgt. Berg returned to home to the United States, he suffered from invisible wounds rather than physical ones.
Kristen says her mission as a fellow is to raise awareness for the veterans who are misunderstood that they are wounded, just because it is not physically recognized. As a fellow, Kristen will work with local leaders, legislators, and unversities to come up with legislation to help the medically retired veterans.