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PORTLAND — The American Red Cross is recognizing veterans who continue their service in local communities across the country on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
As disasters roil communities across the country, veterans are donning the Red Cross vest and lending a hand to those in need in their local communities. At military bases and in local neighborhoods, veterans are rolling up their sleeves to donate blood and help give the critical gift of life. Whether teaching lifesaving skills or giving back to their own by volunteering to assist fellow veterans, they are making an impact through the teamwork and dedication that served them well during military service.
According to the U.S. census, there are more than 18 million U.S. military veterans around the world. When it’s time to put the uniform away, some veterans encounter difficulty with the process. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, one-third of veterans report that they struggle with depression after military service. From difficulty navigating the culture of civilian life to finding a shared sense of purpose, 27% of veterans report difficulty integrating into the civilian workforce post service according to the Pew Research Center. Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans & Military Families reports that prior military service and civic participation are linked. IVMF concludes that military service helps overcome barriers to volunteering and provides positive outcomes for veterans.
At the Red Cross, many of these veterans say they are finding connection and purpose through service to others. Charles Hall is one of those veterans. He serves as a senior disaster program manager with the Red Cross of Northern New England and will spend this Veterans Day in Florida, helping with the Red Cross disaster relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
“I joined the Red Cross in 2018 and I can’t think of a better place to spend this Veterans Day,” Hall said. “It is an appropriate way to honor all those who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice during both wartime and peacetime.”
When Hurricane Ian caused devastation across Florida, veterans from across the country were among the first to join our recovery and response efforts. Veterans are critical members of our community, and we appreciate and value their service after service.
Many Red Cross volunteers are veterans who continue to support their communities after their active-duty service ends. From the front lines of disaster recovery to service in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military hospitals across the nation and around the world, their impact is integral to the Red Cross.
More than 20,000 Red Cross volunteers are veterans — making up 14% of the Red Cross workforce. Veterans hold many positions at the Red Cross, from nurses to logisticians, emergency management experts, project managers and preparedness experts, as well as a number of veterans in leadership roles at local Red Cross chapters across the country.
Visit redcross.org/volunteer for information.
