Veterans Day message from CEO Mike Parks

Posted on November 11, 2025 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Annually, on November 11^th, our nation recognizes Veterans Day, when we honor all those men and women who served in the Armed Forces. I was recently asked the difference between various holidays that honor the military, so I thought I’d share a few thoughts.

Mike Parks, Rear Admiral, United States Coast Guard (Retired), Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Armed Forces Day: Celebrated on the third Saturday in May and honors all those currently serving in the Armed Forces.

Memorial Day: Celebrated the last Monday in May and honors all those who lost their lives during military service to our nation. Note: Since this holiday is about commemorating those that have died, it’s not appropriate to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day.”

Veterans Day: Celebrated the 11^th of November and honors all those who have served in the Armed Forces.

I’ve seen it explained this way: Armed Forces Day honors everyone in uniform. Veterans Day honors everyone who wore the uniform. Memorial Day honors those who never had the chance to get out of the uniform.

Although these three significant holidays differ in their recognition, the one thing they most definitely have in common is they all honor the concept of sacrifice. Whether a current Service member, or someone who has previously served, or those that paid the ultimate price—they all sacrificed, or are sacrificing, for their fellow man. That’s what so special about their sacrifice—it’s forgoing something of value to them–often their own freedom of choice as they serve, deploy, and put themselves in harm’s way. Their collective sacrifice is why we have the freedoms we enjoy, and regrettably, often take for granted, today.

Veterans Day (yes—there’s no apostrophe because it honors all Veterans and doesn’t “belong” to them) began as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I. Although it became a legal holiday in 1938 to honor WWI veterans, in 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans who served.

Even though we should never wait to do so, let us not miss the opportunity to fly our American flags, say the Pledge of Allegiance, sing our National Anthem, and recognize a veteran next Tuesday on Veterans Day. It’s the least we can do to honor their sacrifice. Thank you Veterans and God Bless the United States of America!

Hiring military veterans works for the Red Cross

Posted on July 25, 2025 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross volunteer

“A shared commitment to a greater purpose may just be the most significant advantage veterans bring to the American Red Cross…” – Mike Parks, RADM, USCG (Retired), Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Northern Ohio.

There were nearly 16 million veterans of the armed forces living in the U.S. in 2023, according to usafacts.org. Nearly 3% were unemployed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To raise awareness of veterans in need of job placement and to show the challenges of transitioning from the military to civilian workforce, July 25^th has been named National Hire a Veteran Day.

“Veterans bring unmatched dedication, discipline, and leadership to the workplace – skills forged through service and mission-focused training,” according to Dr. Alaina Foster, Regional Program Director for Service to the Armed Forces and International Services at the Red Cross of Northern Ohio. “Hiring a veteran means gaining a teammate who thrives under pressure, adapts quickly, and leads with integrity.”

Foster is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and comes from a military family. On her team is Nasir Ahmad, also a retired Air Force veteran who recently completed an assignment for the Red Cross that took him to Iraq, where he provided Red Cross services for members of the U.S. military on a base in Baghdad. He said being a veteran gave him a shared connection with members of the military in need of Red Cross services.

“When people say, ‘thank you for your service,’ it’s appreciated and great to hear, but organizations like the Red Cross put those words into action by making a deliberate effort to hire veterans,” Nasir said, adding, “These organizations welcome people who know how to work on a team and put their own vision and ambitions second to the overall success of the company.  Firms that are willing to hire veterans gain people that are able to thrive in structured settings as well as adapt to free-flowing projects and events.” 

CEO Mike Parks, who calls the Red Cross “the world’s premier humanitarian organization,” said hiring veterans fits in well with the Red Cross ethos.

Mike Parks, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Northern Ohio
Rear Admiral, United States Coast Guard (Retired)

“I’m fond of saying ‘The Red Cross is all about caring.’  Most successful veterans largely became successful by caring.  Sacrificial giving and servant leadership are both hallmarks of veterans who have found a home in the Red Cross after they’ve served their country in uniform.”

Mike found a home at the Red Cross, leading the Northern Ohio Region since 2015, following a lengthy career with the U.S. Coast Guard. Nasir has called the Red Cross home since 2023.

“I was unsure what to expect from the Red Cross, but the Northern Ohio team showed me that there’s still a place where I could serve.  And I’m grateful for it.  Maybe that’s all any of us veterans want — a place to still be of service.”   

Veterans excel in every sector of the employment market, but there are numerous job opportunities at the Red Cross, where the experience of having served in the armed forces can add extra value. See current job opportunities here. And tap here to learn more about how the Red Cross supports military members, veterans and their families.

Red Cross needs professionals to aid service members, veterans and their families

Posted on November 11, 2024 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

Everyone knows (or should know!) that the American Red Cross excels at recruiting volunteers for a variety of important activities: giving blood; offering shelter, food and support for disaster victims; teaching swimming and lifesaving; responding with first aid and CPR/AED.

May 2, 2024. Lawton, Oklahoma. The American Red Cross provides comfort kits to all new recruits soon after their arrival at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Often, Red Cross volunteers are the first faces new service members see after they take their Oath of Enlistment and the last before they say goodbye to their families prior to deployment. A Red Crosser will be there to share how the Red Cross can support military members and their families through the Hero Care Network and other programs. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

Did you know we also recruit licensed behavioral health professionals to help members of our armed forces and their families deal with the challenges of deployment and life on the home front?

The Red Cross Resiliency Program is a suite of free activities, virtual workshops and small-group discussions that focus on skill-building and stress-management techniques. Facilitators get special training from the Red Cross on military life and culture.

Dr. Alaina Foster, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, manages Service to the Armed Forces and International Services for the Northern Ohio Region. She’s impressed with programs that build on the resiliency veterans already have.

“I recently attended a Mind/Body workshop that taught me helpful breathing techniques I can use without anyone noticing. I’m glad I was able to participate!”

The Resiliency Program focuses on three areas:

Coping with Deployments: A Psychological First Aid Course – Facilitator-led instruction, role play and group discussion for adult family members of service members facing upcoming deployment, current deployment and/or recent deployment.
Adult Reconnection Workshops – Support for service members, veterans and their families to effectively cope with the challenges related to the transitions within military life through hands- on interactive activities. Topics include stress solutions, trauma talk, emotional grit, and tools for the caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans.
Child Reconnection Workshops – Providing developmentally appropriate evidenced based strategies to help military children navigate the challenges of transitions within military life.

Obviously, the quality of these programs depends on skilled facilitators. Our military members, veterans and their families deserve trained professionals.

Debra Kellar, who specializes in volunteer engagement for the Red Cross in northern Ohio, is eager to recruit more facilitators.

“Volunteers who have careers as licensed behavioral health professionals are an asset to the Red Cross workforce. Their specialized training allows us to connect with active military members and their families through workshops that are tailored to the unique experiences/culture of this audience.”

If you’re a licensed behavioral health professional who feels called to help our men and women in uniform, and their families, build reconnection and resiliency skills, please email NEOvolunteer@redcross.org or call 216-431-3328.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Mike’s message for Veterans Day 2024

Posted on November 8, 2024 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Mike Parks
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross, Northern Ohio Region

Friends and family of the Northern Ohio Red Cross! Next Monday, November 11^th, we will recognize Veterans Day (no apostrophe because it’s not a day that “belongs” to veterans but a day for “ honoring all veterans.”)

I was recently speaking to a group of young folks and was asked what Veterans Day means to me. As I started to answer the question, I found myself taken back to my youth and earliest memories of the first federal holiday in November. As a young boy, I always paid attention to the days on the calendar in our kitchen that had red numbers on them—those meant NO SCHOOL!! As a Boy Scout, it also meant those were days when I put out our American flag in its holder on the front porch.

As I got older, I remember going with my Dad to the local American Legion Hall (Post 92) for their special Veterans Day dinner. As was true of many men of his generation, my Dad, a West Point graduate, Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, rarely spoke of his time in the Army. Admittedly, I was too foolish back then to really engage him and ask about his service and sacrifices for our country. At those dinners, I got to listen to other men, wearing their iconic American Legion “garrison caps” adorned with writing and ribbons, tell stories of their exploits while wearing the cloth of our nation. I gained meaningful insight into what I imagined my Dad experienced and developed a much greater appreciation for veterans. How I wish I could have just one more conversation with my Dad about his time in the Army so I could also thank him for putting his life on the line so I could live the with the freedoms I so often take for granted.

If we’re fortunate to still have family and/or friends that are veterans, I encourage us all to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice of these patriots, as well as their families that have given so much. If appropriate, I urge us all to engage these veterans about their service—while they’re still with us. In the words of former President Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on to them to do the same.” Let us commit to always remember and honor the contributions made by our nation’s veterans, not just on November 11^th, but each and every day of the year.

Best regards…Mike

Editor’s note: Mike was recognized earlier this year by Cleveland Kindland with a Leadership Award. See photos from the event, held at Cleveland City Hall here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/redcrossneo/albums/72177720321775256

Military Veteran Moms-to-be get support from Red Cross Tiffany Circle women

Posted on July 1, 2024 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Jill Patterson, American Red Cross Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer

The Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle Women’s leadership society recently partnered with American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces to create baby bundles to be donated at two baby showers for women veterans. The Red Cross was invited by the Veterans Administration to partner with them at their bi-annual drive-through baby shower. 35 expecting mothers were identified by the VA as recipients of the donated items.

The Tiffany Circle encouraged members, friends, family and Red Cross staff to help purchase baby items from our identified Amazon list. The group met in Akron on June 6 to assemble the baby bundles and on Saturday, June 8th they volunteered at both the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and Akron VA Clinic to distribute the gifts to the expecting mothers. The mothers-to-be were overjoyed by the support; most were expecting their first child.

Volunteers from the American Legion and the Blue Star Moms joined the event and had donated bags filled with diapers and wipes along with backpacks filled with additional baby items. The event is held twice a year and we look forward to helping again this fall!

If you would like to join us in supporting this effort, please visit our Amazon link to purchase items for the fall showers, date TBD. Items will be delivered to the Greater Akron & the Mahoning Valley Chapter.

Learn more about the Tiffany Circle here.

See more photos here.

To learn more about the Red Cross and our mission work, visit redcross.org/noh

Mike’s 2023 Veterans Day message

Posted on November 9, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

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 10^th, we will honor the United States Marine Corps’ 248^th 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 11^th of November, although this year the federal holiday is observed on Friday the 10^th 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

On behalf of a grateful nation – Mike’s Memorial Day message

Posted on May 25, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

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

Next Monday, as we celebrate Memorial Day, we will honor those men and women of our Armed Forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our everyday freedoms. As I was reflecting on this special day, I recalled my recent attendance earlier this month at the funeral of a dear Coast Guard friend of over 40 years. The funeral, replete with military honors, included a gun salute, the playing of “Taps”, the ceremonial folding of the American flag, and the presentation of “the colors” to the family.

I don’t know about you, but every time I hear those 24 somber notes of “Taps” played, I feel my emotions well up inside me. “Taps” is not a song but a bugle call. Although there are no official associated lyrics, Horace Lorenzo Trim is often credited with a set of words intended to accompany the music. Here are just the first of his five stanzas:

“Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.”

Yes, I found myself wiping away tears as the last note was played. After “Taps” was finished, two members of the Coast Guard Honor Guard approached the casket to begin the ceremonial folding of the American flag, which had been carefully draped over the casket so the union blue field was at the head and over the left shoulder of my friend. With exacting precision, these two young servicemembers carefully folded the flag into the symbolic tri-cornered shape, representing the three-sided hats worn by our troops during the Revolutionary War. Our nation’s “colors” were folded 13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 original colonies.

Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery

Having personally performed this important ritual in my career, I can attest to the solemnity of the event. It struck me as I stood at attention, that this ceremony is conducted by every service of the Armed Forces numerous times throughout our country every single day in tribute to the fallen and in support of their loved ones. The words “…On behalf of a grateful nation…” must never be taken for granted as we take a few moments out of our busy lives to remember and thank those who have given their all so that we may live in freedom—it’s the least we can do. This Memorial Day, let us all take time to remember those who have gone before us and those who have received the American flag “…On behalf of a grateful nation.”

Once the flag was perfectly folded, it was given by the Honor Guard to the senior Coast Guard officer to present to the next-of-kin, in this case my friend’s lovely wife of 44 years. She was surrounded by her six grown children as the officer knelt to present her with the folded American flag as a keepsake. He then said to her, “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, and a grateful Nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

Committed to helping those who serve

Posted on May 12, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

May is Military Appreciation Month

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

As American Red Cross volunteers and staff members, we have been honored to work alongside several veterans, some of whom we have had the honor of featuring on this blog. In addition to the values of service, commitment, and being part of an effective team, they speak of the importance of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF). SAF has been vital during their military careers and as veterans, often leading them to join the Red Cross themselves.

Contributing authors and those profiled include Cynthia Skidmore, Brinton Lincoln, Chiane Martin, Dave Riegler, Brook Harless, Sally Falasca, Paul Svasta and of course the CEO of the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region and Rear Admiral, US Coast Guard (Retired), Mike Parks.

May is Military Appreciation Month and May 20th is Armed Forces Day. The Red Cross has been committed to assisting military members, veterans, and their families since its inception in 1881. Services include emergency financial assistance, counseling, and support for veterans.

One of the most important roles is providing emergency communication services. Whether a natural disaster, family illness, or other crises, members of the Red Cross help connect military families. Speaking personally as a member of an extended military family, I have often seen the effectiveness of these services in bringing relatives home when needed.

Pre-deployment event at Youngstown Air Reserve Station

Military families receive support to help cope with the challenges of military life, such as frequent moves, deployments, and separations. One very popular program is animal visitation.

Additional Red Cross services help improve the well-being of service members, veterans, and military families. These include reconnection workshops to help adjust to post-deployment life, and military hospital programs to provide comfort and support to wounded service members and their families.

For Military Appreciation Month, please join us in thanking military members, veterans, and military families for their service. Please also consider helping support them through volunteering with the Red Cross or providing a donation.

SAF volunteer roles include:

Delivering critical emergency messages through the Red Cross Hero Care Network.
For both medical and non-medical volunteers, providing patient comfort and care for injured service members and their families.
For mental health professionals, leading free resiliency workshops for military families in need.

You can get more information about how you can volunteer to help members of the military, veterans and their families here.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Help fulfill wish list for hospitalized veterans

Posted on December 6, 2022 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Holidays for Heroes with a twist

Toothpaste, body wash and skin cream are not the most likely items for a typical holiday gift wish list. But for those heroes who are being cared for in the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, the Ohio Veterans Home and the Toledo VA Outpatient Clinic, they are essentials. And generous supporters of Northern Ohio’s hospitalized veterans can purchase these items and others on the Northern Ohio Heroes Wish List, created by the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region.

“People are generous and always willing to help our nation’s veterans, so we’re working with our partners at the VA and the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky to make sure their patients have what they need – and want – this holiday season,” said Jessica Tischler, Regional Service to the Armed Forces Program Director. “In years past, people sent holiday cards to veterans and service men and women around the world, but once again this year, we are asking people to help our veterans in a different way.”

Adult coloring books and crayons are other items on the Northern Ohio Heroes Wish List, which can be accessed on Amazon here.

“We put this wish list together after consulting with the VA’s amazing health care providers,” said Jessica. “We hope that these items will help bring some comfort to men and women who can’t be home for the holidays by letting them know Americans care about them and appreciate the sacrifices they made.”

Items purchased from the Northern Ohio Heroes Wish List will be delivered to Red Cross regional headquarters in Cleveland, and will be dropped off at facilities throughout the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare system, the Ohio Veterans Home, and the Toledo VA Outpatient Clinic throughout the holiday season.

Learn more about Red Cross Service to the Armed forces here.

On Veterans Day and every day, Red Cross helps active-duty military, veterans and families cope

Posted on November 11, 2022 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

Today is Veterans Day, when we honor those who have served in our military. But tomorrow and every day after this national holiday passes, the American Red Cross will continue to honor and support veterans, military members and their families. For more than 100 years, the Red Cross has been helping active-duty men and women in uniform, their families and veterans deal with the unique challenges of military service.

It’s no secret that military life is stressful. Those of us in civilian life can only imagine the toll it takes to be in combat or challenged with heavy responsibilities, leaving and reuniting with family and home, being uprooted, adjusting to assignment after assignment.

Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces has a whole catalogue of programs to ease those burdens – everything from a reassuring presence on battlefields, deployment stations and military hospitals across the globe to reunification and readjustment workshops here on the home front.

There are even Red Cross programs designed specifically for children who have to deal with the unique social and emotional challenges of military life.

Northern Ohio Region Red Cross volunteer Tom Adams of Cleveland uses his education, training and skills as a clinical social worker to facilitate free, confidential resiliency
workshops on bases around the country. He recently returned from Texas, where he has done sessions at Fort Bliss, Fort Hood and Fort Tyler. Some of the highlights of his assignments over more than a dozen years include assisting service members at Fort Pickett in Virginia, Orlando, Fla. and Wright-Patterson here in Ohio.

Tom sees genuine gratitude in the people he works with. Explaining why he volunteers he said, “I can give up a weekend without pay to give them a thumbnail sketch of how to handle what life throws at them. I find it really humbling to be able to do this.”

Tom structures his small-group workshops as conversations, encouraging participants to share the challenges they face in a safe space. “Then I suggest options for handling these situations,” Tom said. “I’m not there to ‘teach.’ My goal is to give them tools they can use, when they need them.”

Here in northern Ohio, the Red Cross is also active with National Guard and Reserve units, conducting workshops to help ease the transitions of deployment and reconnection after active duty.

Jessica Tischler, regional director of Service to the Armed Forces for the Northern Ohio Red Cross recruits and trains volunteers with certification in mental health and social work fields for that program.

“I have the privilege of interacting with veterans every day and hearing their stories of service and sacrifice,” she said. “It’s gratifying every Veterans Day to see the American public come together as a community to thank the men and women who served our country.”

The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public. Our support for the U.S. military dates back to World War I, and we’re proud to maintain our founders’ commitment to the men and women who have served or continue to serve.

For more information or to volunteer or donate to support the Red Cross mission of helping active and retired military members, visit redcross.org or our Spanish site, CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

Category Archives: Veterans