2024 Acts of Courage Awards honor community heroes

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

Several local community members who performed brave acts of heroism were recently honored at the annual Acts of Courage Awards, presented by the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley.

The annual dinner and award ceremony took place last Thursday at the NEW Center at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in Rootstown. As a special feature of the awards, the Red Cross also presented the H. Peter Burg Community Leader Award to Rick Burke for his lifetime of community leadership and dedication to the Red Cross mission.

Read on to learn more about this year’s winners as well as their heroic acts. View more photos here and watch this special story on the event from Cleveland’s Fox 8 News.

Acts of Courage Award Winners:

Audrey Jokovich, Keenan Orr & Marissa Tyger
While in Wooster, Ohio completing an assignment for their nursing class at Kent State University, students Audrey Jokovich, Keenan Orr and Marissa Tyger noticed a man lying in the middle of roadway. As they rushed to help, they realized he was unconscious, aggressively shaking and slamming his head against the ground. While another bystander called 911 the students protected his head and airway and placed him on his side. Finding the man’s cell phone, the students heard his father on the line and he provided much needed medical history and other health information about the individual. Emergency services arrived and transported the man to a local hospital.

Jenna Omar

Seventh graders Jenna Omar and Luciana Kolat, friends since they were four, were sitting at lunch when Luciana began choking on a piece of breaded shrimp. She tried to reach down and pull it out herself but only pushed it down further. Unable to breathe, she started gagging and put her hands to her throat to show she was in distress. Jenna realized the emergency, jumped up and patted her friend on the back. When that didn’t work, she ran behind Luciana and gave her a strong abdominal thrust. Everything came out and Luciana’s airway was cleared.

Deputy Brian Gorham and Don Sedlock

Portage Lakes resident Don Sedlock was driving to the boat dock near his home when he saw that a fire had broken out at his neighbor’s. Stopping at the scene, Don discovered someone trapped inside and rushed in to get him out. Deputy Brian Gorham arrived shortly after and found the side of the house engulfed in flames. He also ran inside where he discovered Don trying to help his neighbor. Brian and Don worked together to carry out the 92-year-old man who was unable to walk and had been trapped in his bedroom. Four other adults and the family dog were able to follow Don and Deputy Gorham to safety while firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Hannah Stein

While running with her dog Boltan on the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Towpath, Hannah Stein heard a cry coming from the river. She ran toward the cries and found a young woman waist deep in the river. The woman had lost her footing, fallen in and was trapped waist-deep in the water, unable to get out. Hannah immediately rushed to the riverbank to help, with Boltan right behind. Removing Boltan’s harness and leash, Hannah passed them to the girl to grab onto. After a couple of strong pulls from Hannah, the young woman was able to lift herself onto the riverbank. The Valley Fire Department was called to check on the young woman.

Tim Graichen

Tim Graichen and a co-worker were traveling home from a business trip in Tennessee when they witnessed a car lose control, flip and roll multiple times, finally landing in the median in front of them. Tim yelled for someone to call 911 as he jumped from the car to help. Tim saw the car engine was on fire and immediately began to work on pulling the driver from the vehicle. Finally freeing him, Tim saw the victim was unresponsive, and he was unable to find a pulse. Tim began performing CPR and worked alone for several minutes until a nurse stopped at the scene and offered to take over chest compressions. The paramedics arrived and transported the man to the hospital, where he arrived breathing and with a pulse.

Terra White

Terra White, a veteran firefighter, was in an ambulance working her first shift with a new partner. As they traveled through Akron, her partner, who was driving, suffered a medical emergency. The ambulance began to swerve, and Terra saw her partner slumped in his seat with his foot on the accelerator. Knowing she had to act quickly, Terra reached over a large computer between them and grabbed the steering wheel. She then maneuvered her way into the driver’s side, removed her partner’s foot from the gas and slammed on the brakes. The vehicle skidded and finally came to a stop in a vacant lot. Terra later discovered the ambulance stopped just a few feet shy of 50 ft. embankment, a drop that would have been fatal had the ambulance not stopped.

Congratulations to all the winners! Do you know someone who acted in an emergency to help save a life? Share their story with us for possible recognition at upcoming Acts of Courage and Hero awards events across the Northern Ohio Region. And make sure you’re prepared to help save a life like these heroes by signing up for a Red Cross training course near you.

Tips to keep the flu away during these last few weeks of winter

Posted on February 21, 2024 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

Spring is almost here and we’ve already seen many of the signs: robins in the yard, daffodil and tulip greens emerging from the ground, budding maples, and warm, sunny days! Unfortunately, if you’ve lived in Northern Ohio long enough, you know the cold and the snow could be lurking just around the corner.

Just as winter is not yet over, neither is cold and flu season. According to The Ohio Department of Health, Ohio is still experiencing very high levels of flu activity, as of the week ending February 10.

The American Red Cross wants people to stay as healthy as possible so they are available to donate blood. Remember, there is no wait time between receiving the influenza vaccine and giving a blood donation, as long as you are feeling well on the day of donation.

Here are some tips & best practices to keep the flu and other illnesses away:

Wash your hands. Most people are familiar with this common epigram; however, it remains one of the best ways to prevent illness. Frequent handwashing, especially when coming in contact with public spaces, is your best bet against bringing unwanted diseases home with you.
Avoid crowded spaces. Spending time in close contact with others, especially during cold and flu season, increases your chances of exposure to airborne illnesses.
Keep soiled hands away from your face. When you can’t wash your hands, make sure you avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and face.
Eat a healthy, vitamin-rich diet, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest and exercise to boost your immune system.
Take the flu vaccine annually. The vaccine is an important barrier against catching the flu, and it’s not too late to get your vaccination. Flu season typically runs through the end of March, but you can catch the flu at any time of year.

The Red Cross is in urgent need of donors to maintain an adequate blood supply. Consider donating blood this winter season, and give the gift of life to a recipient in need. Even a single donation can make an impact. During the month of February, all donors will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card. Please visit https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html to find a blood drive near you.

Volunteers – the MVPs of the American Red Cross

Posted on December 28, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

2023 was another successful year for meeting the mission of the American Red Cross in Northern Ohio, and it couldn’t have been done without the support of our volunteers. More than 1,500 volunteers reported contributing 58,000 hours in the Northern Ohio Region and on disaster relief operations since July 1, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2024).

Volunteers and staff at the Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley

As we reflect on 2023 and look forward to the new year, some of the leaders in the Northern Ohio Region shared their gratitude for our volunteer workforce for giving their time, expertise and talent to help our community this past year.

“The individuals who volunteer for our mission are truly some of the most dedicated people I have ever encountered. They provide so much more than a hug or a handshake. They provide hope to people on truly their darkest day. That is invaluable.” – Rachel D’Attoma, Executive Director, Red Cross of Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley.

“Working alongside our volunteers is one of the greatest privileges of my career. Thank you for all you do to make our mission so impactful!” – Rachel Hepner-Zawodny, Executive Director, Red Cross of Western Lake Erie.

“Our volunteer family is the heart and soul of the Red Cross. Every day, they give of themselves to those who need help in our communities. I want to thank every one of our volunteers for the amazing work they do and the compassion they show to those who need our help. It is truly and honor to work beside such amazing men and women.” – Todd James, Executive Director, Red Cross of North Central Ohio.

“The best part of my job is working with our incredible volunteers. It is an honor and privilege to work alongside of them, and because of them, our mission is delivered each and every day!” – Kimberly Kroh, Executive Director, Red Cross of Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes.

“One of the most important things I’ve learned since joining the Red Cross, and has now been firmly ingrained in me, is the critical importance of our volunteers! If it weren’t for our tremendous volunteer workforce, there would be no American Red Cross. Pure and simple—they are the “lifeblood” of the world’s premier humanitarian organization! I am inspired by our Red Cross volunteers each and every day—they are a true blessing!” – Mike Parks, Chief Executive Officer, Red Cross of Northern Ohio.

Volunteers providing meals for residents forced to stay in a shelter last summer

90% of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers and serve in roles at blood drives and our blood donation centers, supporting our regional work, responding to disasters and more. If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, visit our website here.

Read more about the impact made by our volunteers at our Year-in-Review page here.

Give blood and celebrate the 20th Anniversary “Elf”

Posted on November 13, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Christy Peters, Regional Communications Manager

For most of my life, I have been a holiday purist. My family always waited until after Thanksgiving before we did anything related to Christmas. No decorating the house or finding a tree until the last weekend in November. And, of course, only certain foods on certain holidays. Heaven forbid you have turkey on both holidays – turkey on Thanksgiving, ham on Christmas.

My strict expectations even extended into holiday entertainment. Only certain films were true holiday “classics.” For example, there are only two acceptable versions of “A Christmas Carol.” For the kids “A Muppet Christmas Carol” and only George C. Scott as Ebeneezer Scrooge for everyone else. And if you don’t watch “It’s A Wonderful Life,” can it even be Christmas? So, it probably comes as no surprise that when the movie “Elf” debuted, I didn’t see it. I was good with my classics, and it didn’t seem to fit that category at all.

But it seems I missed the memo because “Elf” is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year and has rightly earned classic holiday movie status. As strongly as I feel about George C. Scott, there are probably many more people who see Buddy as the true hero of the holiday season. And for them, I have some fantastic news! When you come to give blood now through Nov. 30, you’ll receive an exclusive pair of “Elf” + American Red Cross socks, while supplies last.

Donations are critical to the blood supply as the holiday season draws near – a time when blood donations often decline. And for traditionalists like me, the Red Cross is encouraging people to add a new tradition as the holiday season begins: Spread cheer with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types are urged to give, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.

Before the holiday rush begins, take an hour out of your day to give blood or platelets and help someone in need. You can find a blood drive near you and make an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

And, in case you were wondering, at the insistence of my husband, I finally watched “Elf” a few years ago…and loved it. It’s now required viewing in our home every year. Even us traditionalists can shake it up every now and then.

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

Tips to Help Keep This Halloween a Treat

Posted on October 30, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Sam Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

It’s Halloween season here in Northern Ohio, and while kids are prepping to get tons of treats, adults should also prepare to make the evening a safe and fun event. Here are 10 things to keep in mind when trick-or-treating this holiday.

Make sure trick-or-treaters can see and be seen. Use face makeup instead of masks, which can make it hard to see when wearing them. Make sure trick-or-treaters can be seen be using a flashlight to light their way, adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags and wearing light-colored clothing.
Use costumes that are flame-resistant.
Never let children trick-or-treat alone. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door. Make sure adults know where kids are going and do not get too far ahead.
Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
Walk, don’t run from door to door. Avoid walking in the street and stick to sidewalks. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. When crossing the street, stop and look both ways. Don’t cross between parked cars. If trick-or-treating in a city, do not take alleyways.
If you are driving, use extra caution. Kids may forget to look both ways before crossing amongst all of the excitement.
Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door and never go inside a home. Before eating goodies, make sure adults check all of them, removing loose candy, open packages and any choking hazards. Throw away any items with brand names you are not familiar with.

If you are handing out goodies at your home for trick-or-treaters:

Light the area well so visitors can see where they are walking.
Clear obstacles someone can trip over. Sweep leaves from steps and sidewalks.
Use caution when carving pumpkins. Adults should do the carving, and young kids should draw the face on the pumpkins instead of doing the carving. Do not use a candle to light a pumpkin. Opt for a flashlight or glowstick instead.

With these tips, we hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween! For more tips on first aid, weather alerts and more, download our American Red Cross apps by searching for the Red Cross in your app store or visiting redcross.org/apps.

American Red Cross Blood Collectors – a vital link in patient care

Posted on September 4, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Happy Labor Day! This year, the Labor Day holiday coincides with National Blood Collectors Week which is September 3-9. While it may be a coincidence, it is absolutely fitting because this week is a time to celebrate the contributions of blood collection workers in supporting hospital care. Without the more than 5,500 American Red Cross blood and platelet collections team members who work at blood drives and donation centers across the country, lifesaving blood would not be available for patients in need. Each year, Red Cross staff collect blood and platelet donations from nearly 2.5 million volunteer donors.

Here in Northern Ohio, we are fortunate to have wonderful collections staff across the 31 counties we serve. One of those amazing staff members is Danita Craig. Danita has been with the Red Cross for 9 ½ years. Her career has spanned many roles within the organization, from Collections Tech to Charge Staff and now a Team Supervisor in Cleveland.

As a Team Supervisor, Danita is focused on building a strong team, coaching and mentoring new employees and providing great customer service to staff, volunteers, recruitment representatives and blood program leaders. In her role, Danita says she can lead by example, showing her staff how much she loves her job and how exciting it is to help save lives with every pint collected. For Danita, the lifesaving blood she and her team help collect has a special meaning. “I have a relative who has sickle cell disease and receives blood products yearly, sometimes monthly, so this job impacts my life on a personal level,” said Danita. “I love knowing that where I work help saves many lives and helps my family member. I hold the mission close to my heart.”

In addition to her work in Biomedical Services, Danita had the opportunity to go to Florida and help with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian. “It was an honor to see people from all over the world come together to help others,” she said. Danita has always had a passion for taking care of people and as a Red Cross employee she has plenty of opportunities to do so. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling with her family and line dancing with friends.

The Red Cross in Northern Ohio is thankful for Danita and all the collections staff who work so hard to help patients in need. If you’ve never donated blood or it’s been a while, there’s no better way to celebrate Blood Collectors Week than making an appointment to give. And right now, donations are especially needed as Hurricane Idalia caused more than 700 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected in the Southeast last week. Your donation not only helps local patients but allows the Red Cross to help whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Find a blood drive near you at redcrossblood.org.

It’s August – time for everyone to learn – not just schoolchildren

Posted on August 4, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Doug Bardwell, American Red Cross volunteer

Here are 16 tips to help to educate the whole family:

Driving

In Northern Ohio, as children return to school earlier and earlier each year, it’s not
unusual in August to see children lined up, waiting for school buses. That means drivers
need to readjust their driving habits.

As youngsters wait for the bus for the first time, many have never been asked to stand
in one spot without dancing around or chasing their nearby friends. It’s not unusual to
see one of them dart off the curb and into the street without looking. Lesson: if you see
young children on the street corner – slow down and watch for unexpected behavior.

As young drivers with new driver’s licenses start to drive to school for the first time, they
can be easily distracted between the car radio, their cellphone, and/or friends they see
along the way. Lesson: remind them before they leave every day in August to be on the
lookout for little ones who might dart out between parked cars.

Grandparents may be pressed into service with school starting again, playing chauffeur
to their grandchildren. As darling as they can be, resist adjusting the rearview mirror to
have extended conversations with your little loved ones. Lesson: for every second you
are peering into the backseat, someone else’s child could run out in front of your moving
vehicle.

Grandparents must also be aware of current driving regulations regarding car seats,
booster seats, etc. Lesson: In Ohio, State law requires:

Infants and young children must ride in a child safety seat until they are 4 years old, AND, weigh at least 40 pounds.
Every child ages 4-8 who is no longer in a car seat must use a booster seat until he/she reaches 4’9” tall.
Children and teens, ages 8-15, who are not in booster seats must use adult seat belts.

This grandparent recalls traveling with our children unstrapped in a car bed on the back
seat. Fortunately, their guardian angels watched over them. Don’t even think about trying that now.

Awareness

“There are some special steps parents of younger kids should take, especially if they
have youngsters going to school for the first time,” said Mike Parks, Regional CEO.
Lesson: “They should make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to
get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and
how to dial 911. And teach them not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone
they don’t know.”

The American Red Cross always stresses the importance of having an emergency plan before disaster strikes. Lesson: Back-to-school time is an excellent opportunity to think about “What-If”. As you imagine different scenarios, who can you enlist to help out?

Neighbors, other parents, friends, relatives? Make sure to have current contact information for each of them.

Want more?

Here are another 10 “Get-ready-for-school” tips.
For more emergency preparedness suggestions, visit http://redcross.org/prepare.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Stay safe and look out for one another in extreme heat

Posted on July 5, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

July 30, 2014. City of Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation, South Carolina. Julieth Martinez, 4, enjoying her swim lesson as part of the Centennial campaign. Photo by Connie Harvey/American Red Cross

I first saw the effects of heat stroke when I was 10. I was at a day camp for the first time. Decades later, I vaguely recall activities, canoes, a lake and even the heat. But I clearly remember seeing the fellow camper stumble, vomit and pass out. Counselors carried him inside and put him on a table, getting water and ice. The rest of us followed, worried, overhearing frantic conversations. Once inside, someone put on a movie to calm us, but I think we all knew he was in trouble and an ambulance was on the way. My memory becomes fuzzy after that. A darkened room, an ignored movie, a child my age prone on a table, teenagers tossing ice and water on him until the EMTs arrived, quickly giving treatment and taking him away. I saw him a few weeks later at another event, recovering.

As much as we enjoy summer and especially being active, heat can be dangerous, even life-threatening. In fact, the last several years have seen excessive heat cause more fatalities than all other weather events. Climate change is also making extreme heat events more frequent and severe, even here in Northern Ohio.

For a medical professional’s perspective on heat safety for our region, I reached out to Patricia Horvath, a registered nurse and American Red Cross volunteer regional nurse lead for Northern Ohio. Patricia explained, “a heat wave is more than 48 hours of high heat (90°F or higher) when high humidity (80 percent relative humidity or higher) is expected.”

Patricia Horvath, Regional Volunteer Nurse Lead

“For us in Northern Ohio, the uptick in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion are often seen around local family fun runs, sports camps for kids and pre-season athletic training for high school kids during heat waves,” she said. “I’ve also experienced it at outdoor family reunions when seniors rapidly became dehydrated in the sun.

“The saddest and most devasting situation I have seen is the death of a child—left or forgotten—in a hot parked car,” she continued. “After an hour, the average in-car temperature is 43 degrees higher than the outdoor temperature. After 90 minutes, this rises to 48 degrees higher. Therefore, when it’s 90 degrees outside, it could reach an incredible 138 degrees in your parked car. That’s hotter than any outdoor temperature ever recorded on Earth! Parents, grandparents and caregivers need to establish memory hooks as a routine to be sure to check for the little ones in car seats before leaving. It’s easy to get distracted or absentminded these days. Unfortunately, this also occurs often with pets. If you see a child in a parked car alone on a hot day even with windows cracked, say something and get help. Minutes matter.”

Patricia also spoke of the importance of community. “Like most things in a community, it’s those who live there who look out for each other that makes it healthy and safe. With heat waves, communities in Northern Ohio now will open free access to designated ‘cooling centers’ for residents, such as recreational centers, libraries and community centers. Check on your vulnerable elderly neighbors to be sure they have access to air-conditioning. Invite them to your house or give them a ride to a cooling center for the day. I have had air conditioning parties for my neighbors and friends during heat waves. Growing up, this is something my parents used to do when AC in private homes was more of a luxury.”

Patricia’s general advice to stay safe is:

Be aware of the predicted heat and humidity for the day.
Keep hydrated even if you are not thirsty.
Keep cool, stay indoors or in the shade and, minimize exercise/activity.
Check in with kids and the elderly to keep them safe too.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

More information is available on the Red Cross heat safety page and the free Emergency App.

You can also see recent articles on summer road trip preparation, water safety, and severe weather safety.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer.

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

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.”

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

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