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David Williams struggled with the culture shock after moving from rural north Florida to suburban Maryland when he also became his sister’s caregiver.

Amber Cerchione never expected to become a caregiver. She met her husband later in his military career and didn’t know what happened in his prior deployments. It wasn’t something they talked about.

After seven years of excruciating physical illness former Marine Sgt. Paul Bacus has finally returned to the labor force. His wife, Caitlin, has exchanged her role as caregiver to college student, to eventually help assisting veteran servicemembers to find jobs. A Pillars of Strength Scholarship to UMGC will make that aspiration possible.

Already holding a master’s degree in occupational therapy, the Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident aspires to another master’s degree in cybersecurity management and policy.