Tag Archives: National Guard

Veterans Day message from CEO Mike Parks

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Annually, on November 11th, 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 11th 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!  

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

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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

National Volunteer Week Profile: Mike Falatach

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By Christy Peters, Regional Communications Manager

“I love dogs and I love people.” Knowing this about American Red Cross volunteer Mike Falatach, it’s no wonder he’s the volunteer leader for the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program (AVP) in Northern Ohio. Part of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, animal visitation teams support military members and their families across the United States and overseas. In Northern Ohio, Mike works with nearly 40 volunteers and their animals, coordinating visits to the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland and National Guard bases across the region.

 American Red Cross Animal Visitation Program volunteer lead Mike Falatach with his therapy dog Macee.

Mike currently has two Great Pyrenees therapy dogs, Macee, who will be 9 in June and Rosie who is 5. In addition to his role at the Red Cross, Mike is certified to evaluate dogs through Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog Inc. guidelines which is an approved Therapy Dog program by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Mike is also an AKC Temperament Jude and Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

According to the AKC, “therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of others.” Training to become a therapy dog is no simple task. Dogs must learn to ignore food that’s nearby, how to stay calm amid beeping medical equipment and be with lots of other dogs without turning the event into a playdate.

Rosie is a 5 year-old Great Pyrenees and one of Mike Falatach’s two therapy dogs

“We look for dogs with personality. They wag their tail or cock their head,” Mike said. “A dog that loves to visit with people and gets excited to do so is important because many of our events have lots of people.”

For many military members, seeing a Red Cross therapy dog is an important reminder of home when they are away training. Mike recalls being at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio for a leadership academy. He said officers came in and sat on the floor with the dogs, crying. “They told us about their dogs, how they missed them,” said Mike. “In the midst of that intense training, the dogs gave them much-needed comfort.”

Rosie ready to visit the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Mike is always amazed at how a visit from a Red Cross therapy dog can break down barriers with patients. “The dogs take their mind off their pain and what they are going through,” he said. He’s visited individuals who are unable to speak but as soon as they see the dog they smile. Some patients are in the middle of painful medical procedures during a visit, but they perk up and immediately want to pet the dogs when they arrive.

“Macee and I visited a rehabilitation hospital, and a patient was struggling to finish their walk,” said Mike. “The nurse said, ‘If Macee walks with you, can you walk more?’ and the person did. They don’t want to disappoint the dog.”

Rosie visits with a service member as part of the Red Cross Northern Ohio Animal Visitation Program

Mike said being part of an animal visitation program with a national organization like the Red Cross means a lot to his volunteers. There’s a limited number of years for a dog to do therapy work, so any chance volunteers have is exciting for them. “They are eager to participate, they want to share their animals with people,” he said. “The people we meet enjoy it and are so appreciative and that means so much to us.”

The Red Cross is grateful to Mike and his entire team for the important work they are doing to serve military members and their families. You can learn more about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces here.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer