WASHINGTON (AP) — Showing that some issues can bridge the political divide, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, joined by former first lady Rosalynn Carter and former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, offered new sources of much-needed support Friday for millions of people who care for wounded service members and veterans, oftentimes at great emotional, physical and financial cost.

There are more than 5.5 million military caregivers in the U.S., including 1.1 million caring for the newest generation of veterans, those who served after 9/11, according to a RAND Corp. study released last week and commissioned by Dole’s foundation.