Red Cross Recognizes Service After Service

This Veterans Day the Red Cross is honoring veterans who make a difference in their local communities

This Veterans Day the American Red Cross is recognizing veterans who continue their service in local communities across the country.

As disasters roil communities across the nation, 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 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, 1/3 of all 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 (IVMF) 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.

Many of our Red Cross Northern New England Region veterans say they are finding connection and purpose through service to others.

Charles Hall is one of those veterans. He currently serves as a Senior Disaster Program Manager with the Red Cross of Northern New England. He will spend this Veterans Day deployed to Florida helping with the Red Cross disaster relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Charles Hall

“I joined the Red Cross in 2018 and I can’t think of a better place to spend this Veterans Day. It is an appropriate way to honor all those who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice during both wartime and peacetime,” Charles said.

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.

Denise Deblois served in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserves and New Hampshire Air National Guard for 22 years. She began her volunteer service with the Red Cross in 2017 dividing her time between Service to the Armed Forces and Disaster Cycle Services.

Denise Deblois

Denise says she finds similarities between her military services and volunteer work with the  Red Cross. One provides a service to country and the other to community. She finds both challenging, fun and rewarding.

Her love of volunteering started at 14 when she volunteered as a candy striper. During military service, Denise volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol and following military service, she joined multiple Veterans Service Organizations and volunteered to assist veterans in obtaining their VA benefits.

"I have dedicated my life to service and that will be my legacy,” said Denise.

Northern Maine Disaster Program Manager Frank Martin is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He that large organizations, like the U.S. Military, had the capacity and power to help others. His return to civilian life left a hard-to-replace void until he joined the Red Cross.

Frank Martin

"The Red Cross has been the only organization that I have worked for since leaving the military where I can fully support their mission and reach for my goal of leading a more fulfilling life. That emptiness I felt after leaving the military has been supplanted and surpassed with the new family I found here at the Red Cross," said Frank.

Second-year volunteer Cindi Nadelman originally came to the Red Cross through personal experience with Service to the Armed Forces. While stationed overseas with the U.S. Air Force Cindi’s father died. She will forever be grateful for the support of the Red Cross in expediting arrangements to get her home in time to attend her father’s funeral.

Cindi Nadelman

Cindi believes her dedication to the service of her country and others grew through military experience.

THE HEART OF OUR WORKFORCE

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 Veterans Affairs (VA) and military hospitals across the nation and around the world, their impact is integral to the Red Cross.

Over 20,000 Red Cross volunteers are veterans — making up 14% of our 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.

We thank all Northern New England Region veterans and active duty service members who have served our country and our local communities. A special shoutout to those who took the time to share their service histories with us, including:

• Volunteer John Clifford who served in the U.S. Army beginning in 1981
• Volunteer Ron Eisenhart who served in the U.S. Army from 1976-1979
• Volunteer Bob Collin who served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1968, and with the Army Reserves from 1968-1971
• Volunteer Dave Morrill who served in the U.S. Navy Reserves from 1985-1993
• Volunteer Bob Cibelli who served in the U.S. Navy from 1976-1982
• Volunteer Jeremy Daniels who served in the U.S. Air Force from 2001-2006
• Volunteer Antwon Scott who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1992-2004, and with the New Hampshire Army National Guard from 2006-2015
• Volunteer Mike Nawrath who served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971
• Volunteer Lance Emrick who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982-1987
• Volunteer Cheryl Clapp who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976-1979
• Volunteer Paul Travers who served in the U.S. Naval Reserve Intelligence Program from 1995-2006
• Volunteer Ashish Usman who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1995
• Volunteer Michael Merchant who served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Communications Officer during the Gulf War as well as the conflicts in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan
• Volunteer Lionel "Rip" Rocheleau who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982-1987 and attained E-5 Staff Sergeant 
• Rachael Fleherty-Strevig, Service to the Armed Forces Manager, who served 22 years in the Army National Guard and continues her legacy of service through her work at the Red Cross
• Ashley St. Loius, Disaster Program Manager, who served two years as a medic for the U.S. Army following 9/11
• Celeste Stimpson, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Director, who served as a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force from 2004-2009
• Beau Blanchard, Service to the Armed Forces Manager, who is currently serving with the Maine Army National Guard
• Marko Petrovic, General Maintenance Technician, who was a tank platoon commander in the Yugoslav Armed Forces from 1996-2006
• Eric Gagnon, Regional Volunteer Services Officer, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985-1993

We would like to recognize everyone within our Northern New England Regional workforce who has served. If you are not listed and wish to be, please reach out to Jennifer Costa, Regional Communications Director, at jennifer.costa@redcross.org. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Volunteer to help veterans or to work alongside them to make our communities stronger. To learn more about how you can give back in your community this Veterans Day, visit redcross.org/volunteer.