Category Archives: Emergency Communications

Mike’s 2023 Veterans Day message

Posted on by
Reply

By Mike Parks, RADM, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), CEO, American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region

Greetings, Northern Ohio Red Cross Family and Friends!  This Saturday we’ll be celebrating Veterans Day.  Prior to that, on Friday, November 10th, we will honor the United States Marine Corps’ 248th anniversary.  Thank you to all those Marines who have remained Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) as they’ve helped keep our country safe and free for almost two and half centuries! 

Veterans Day (that’s right—no apostrophe) is celebrated on the 11th of November, although this year the federal holiday is observed on Friday the 10th of November.  Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).  In 1938, through an act of Congress, November 11th was made a legal holiday.  There are currently 18.5 million veterans of which almost 2.5 million are women.  Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio are the six states with the greatest number of veterans. 

I’m often asked what is the best thing to say to a veteran on Veterans Day? I’ve always felt the right thing to say is to thank the veteran for their service & sacrifice in defending our freedom.  I also feel it’s important to thank their families for their tremendous sacrifices in supporting their veteran over the years. 

Photo Illustration by Abby Walker/American Red Cross

One of the most admirable qualities of many of our veterans is their commitment to continued service—even after serving their country in uniform.  Several of our nation’s veterans find ways to continue to selflessly serve their communities as civil servants, first responders, teachers, and members of Veteran Service Organizations (USO, DAV, AmVets, American Legion, & NEOPAT to name just a few), as well as other non-profits.   This includes our own American Red Cross, where there are currently more than one thousand men and women who indicate they are veterans engaging in all lines of Red Cross service and representing all branches of the Armed Forces.   For these veterans, service seems to be in their DNA.  This is also true of the tens of thousands of veterans who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure supporting countless righteous causes in their communities around the country.  As a nation, we are truly blessed by so many veterans who are committed to “service beyond service.”   

Photo Illustration by Betsy Robertson/American Red Cross

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Red Cross also has a Team Member Resource Group for veterans and allies.  If you’re interested in more information about the Vets + TMRG, please reach out to VeteransPlus@redcross.org. 

I think President Ronald Reagan said it best in a 1983 radio address to the nation when he commented, “Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they’ve suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.”  Hopefully, all of us will never take for granted the freedom we’ve been afforded to us by the valor and courage of our veterans! 

Best regards…Mike

Resolve to volunteer: a testimonial

Posted on by
Reply

By Richard E. Whitehead Jr, DMC, Regional Government Operations Chief and Emergency Management Program Lead

I thought I would share how the American Red Cross has assisted me and my family through the years. Giving back is just one of the many reasons I have been volunteering since 2005.  

The Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program provided aid to my family when my uncle was killed in action during the Vietnam Conflict. Another family member was deployed in theater and SAF assisted in him receiving emergency notification and subsequent emergency leave.

The Red Cross was there again for me when I was a patient at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. The hospital ward was a mix of military personnel (several with combat injuries) and military dependents age 10 and over. It was one large open space with several beds, unlike hospital rooms today. I was 10 years old and there were only a handful of kids.

A Red Cross volunteer would come through the ward with a cart. The cart contained items to help occupy the time of the patients (newspapers, magazines, books, games, etc.). I was provided coloring books, comic books, puzzles, cards, toys, and even craft projects. She even gave me pads for my crutches, which a volunteer crocheted.  

When I wanted to find a way to help during Hurricane Katrina, the Red Cross provided that opportunity.

In more recent times, I continue to benefit from the services of the Red Cross. From the support of first responders to the collection and distribution of life sustaining blood, the Red Cross has been there for me. I will continue to be there for the Red Cross. It is paying back for the assistance and opportunities the Red Cross has given me. 

Military mom offers thanks

Posted on by
Reply

November 22, 2019- Editor’s note: Jessica Tischler, Regional Service to the Armed Forces Program Manager, recently receive this heartfelt message from the grateful mother of a serviceman.

This email is long overdue. My name is Barbara Freeman and I donate financially to the Red Cross and give blood every three months. There is a very special reason why I will always support your organization.

My father passed away 10 years ago. During that time my son was enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Therefore, in order to get him home when my father was in critical condition, I had to go through the Red Cross.

Barbara Freeman

Jason Mitchell and his grandfather, Daniel Bryant.  Photo provided by Jason’s mother, Barbara Freeman.  With permission.

My father helped raise my son. He was always my son’s idol and it was the reason my son joined the Navy because his grandfather served in the US Navy during WW2. When I had to make the call to the Red Cross I was not in a good place. As I was speaking with one of your representatives, she asked me questions that I was unable to answer. In the state I was in, I could barely remember my child’s name let alone know if he was in A School or C School. She was so kind and told me to go be with my father at the hospital and she would take care of everything. When I got to the hospital, I remember telling my mother that I was sure I would need to call back the Red Cross because I was sure I did not have enough information for them to be able to get my son home, but I was wrong.

Within 20 minutes of that call my son was on his way home. Because of this, he was able to see the most important man in his life before he passed away. Because of this, I will always support the Red Cross. I tell everyone this story, especially to the employees of the Red Cross that take my blood, but I realized I never told you directly. I hope you know what a difference you make in people’s lives. I apologize that it took me 10 years to personally thank all of you for all you do. I hope it is true that it is better late than never.

Thank you,

Barbara Freeman

When the American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio asked for permission to reprint Ms. Freeman’s message here, this was her response:

“I have no problem with you sharing my story. I would love for as many people as possible to know what an amazing organization you are. I worked in nonprofit for many years and would tell that story to our new staff to explain what a difference they make in people’s lives. I can’t even put into words what an impact the Red Cross has made in my life but most importantly the lives of my son and his grandfather. Bless you for all you do.”