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.
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.”
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
NOHredcross 