The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance and disaster relief in the United States. They also provide health and safety services, international services, and services to the armed forces. The Red Cross has been a consistent lifeline for people in the most need.
The History
The history of the Red Cross goes back to May 21, 1881, when it was created by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. After the Civil War, she campaigned for the American Red Cross for ratification of the Geneva Convention protecting the injured during war. The Geneva Convention was later adopted by the United States in 1882. The Red Cross received its first congressional charter in 1900 and its second in 1905. The most recent version of the charter took place in 2007, and it restates the traditional purpose of the Red Cross serving as a medium and communication between those in the armed forces and their families.
What They Do for The Military
The Red Cross has and always will be dedicated to the members of the armed forces and their families. They focus on home care for the sick, emergency intervention, counseling, and unfortunately notification of family members at the time of a soldier’s injury or death in combat or in military service. The Red Cross is made up of truly dedicated professionals, and most are volunteers. They help assist combat medics in time of need.
Their Life-Saving Commitment
The Red cross has provided a service not only for military members and their families but for all other Americans as well. They spend countless hours on blood drives that save not thousands but millions of lives daily. If it were not for the Red Cross, many military members wounded in combat would not live since the main cause of death in combat is blood loss. Even though they’re not on the battlefield, the Red Cross and its volunteers save lives daily in combat.
Our Military Thanks You
To the thousands of volunteers that assist military members and their families in need, we thank you all. You may not wear camouflage or carry a weapon or fight a battle, but you do allow us to protect freedom with your service to our armed forces. If it were my decision, you would be a part of the armed forces. However, even though you are not, we know you are our brothers and sisters that save our lives. I give my personal thanks in 2012 and 2015. If it wasn’t for your actions and commitment, I would not be able to thank you today. The numerous blood transfusions I received saved my life twice. I am forever indebted to each of you.
You are the pride, the honor, and the true meaning of what our U.S. military stands for: “so others may live.” For that I thank you. I ask each able person to take time to donate that small amount of blood that will save a brother or sister in arms. To the Red Cross, we will always strive to protect your freedom and your family’s freedom with our very own lives if needs be.
