|
George C. Marshall Award
Robert C. Lewis (posthumously) and Eve Newton Lewis
Monday, June 04, 2007 — In 1999, when the American Red Cross named its AFES Center at national headquarters in honor of Robert and Eve Lewis, it seemed a fitting tribute to the couple's longtime dedication to the organization. But to reward the Lewis' ardent support of its services to the military, the Red Cross decided an additional tribute was in order.
Robert Lewis had already served many critical roles during World War II when he was tapped by Gen. Douglas MacArthur to reestablish the Japanese Red Cross after it was no longer recognized by the International Red Cross for not following the Geneva Conventions. He later met Eve in India, where she was a Red Cross club staff assistant. After the couple married they traveled to Stuttgart, Germany, and continued their Red Cross careers, he as an employee and she as a volunteer.
In the United States, Mrs. Lewis served as chairwoman of international activities for the National Capital Area Chapter in Washington, D.C., from 1960 to 1974. Mr. Lewis served as the Red Cross' vice president for services to the armed forces and veterans.
"I would like to thank the Red Cross for affording me the opportunity and privilege to be a part of this organization that sees its brothers' needs and supplies them," Mrs. Lewis said upon being presented the George C. Marshall Award at the inaugural Heritage of Service dinner.
George C. Marshall, whose military career culminated in his appointment as General of the Army during World War II, dedicated his post-war life to the causes of international peace and security. As U.S. secretary of state from 1947-1949, he developed the renowned Marshall Plan that helped Western Europe recover from the war and was instrumental in establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Later, as president of the American Red Cross, he used his personal prestige to increase the visibility of the organization, lent his support to the blood program, and traveled extensively around the country visiting Red Cross chapters. He resigned from the Red Cross when President Truman named him secretary of defense.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
Related Content:
|
