By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
Through times tough and easy, no matter what’s going on in the world, we should always find time to express our appreciation for those who serve in the military. Whether active duty, veteran or military family member, there are hundreds of thousands of people throughout the nation who have stepped up to serve the collective good. In my own family, we are proud to have many members who have served in the Army and Marines.
It makes me proud to be a part of continuing the legacy that Clara Barton started over 140 years ago on the battlefields of the Civil War. While she tended to the wounded, our focus at the American Red Cross has shifted over the years — our dedicated team is committed to providing a continuum of care, from the first day of enlistment to life after service.
Sometimes, it can be as simple as offering thanks for somebody’s service while walking down the street. It could be building care packages to send to deployed service members, making cards to pass out on Veterans Day, or putting up flags next to the graves of military members. Other times, it can be more complex — like our Hero Care Network, which helps to connect service members, veterans and their families with free and confidential assistance any day, any time.
The Red Cross also maintains presence on hundreds of military installations and deployment sites across the country and around the world. This allows our staff and volunteers to provide direct, in-person support for things like teaching lifesaving skills, facilitating respite and wellness activities, and more. One of the most special ways our Red Cross team helps support military members is by relaying emergency communication messages to deployed service members so they can return home for important family milestones, like the birth of a child or death of a loved one.
This work relies on a team of dedicated volunteers, many of whom we had the pleasure of celebrating at a volunteer recognition event at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point earlier this month. Whether supporting patients at Keller Army Community Hospital, organizing lifesaving blood drives, supporting cadets or delivering pet therapy, these selfless individuals include many who themselves served in the military or grew up in a military family.
I look forward each year as well to our annual Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor, where we recognize a military member for their service to country and community.
So before May comes to a close, take a moment to express your appreciation for somebody’s military service. I am lucky to work with many veterans – whether our Community Disaster Program Manager for the Metro NY North Chapter, Nick Miraglia, or chapter board members Justin Green, Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey, and Colonel Sean Hipp, as well as countless others at the Red Cross and throughout Greenwich.
To all of you who have served, THANK YOU.
Stephanie Dunn Ashley is the CEO of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter. Based in Greenwich, Conn., the chapter serves Westchester and Rockland counties, Greenwich, Conn., and the US Military Academy at West Point.
