For Glen Ellis, service to others was not just a duty, it was the defining thread woven through every chapter of his life. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Glen spent decades serving his country before finding his second calling with the American Red Cross. Even while stationed across the world, the mission to help others stayed close to him.

When he retired from the Navy in 1993, most people would have stepped back to rest. Glen stepped forward.

Having already served on the Board of Directors for the Red Cross chapter in Charleston, SC he soon became the Chapter Manager, leading disaster response efforts, strengthening community partnerships and guiding volunteers through both ordinary days and extraordinary crises. He helped the Charleston community rebuild after Hurricane Hugo when the chapter building itself was damaged. He worked long days, often in the same coveralls marked with the Red Cross emblem, a symbol of commitment worn into the fabric of daily life.

But Glen was never alone in this work.

His wife, Nina, stood beside him every step of the way, sharing in the mission, the travel, the people and to her delight, the pins. Red Cross pins became a way of marking memories like conventions attended, chapters visited, milestones celebrated, and friendships formed.

And Nina collected each one with unmatched spirit.

As she says with a laugh:
“If I saw a pin, I wanted it. Once, a man in an elevator had a special pin on his lapel — and by the time we reached the lobby, I had that pin.”

The collection became more than metal and enamel.
It became a map of service.
A reflection of lives touched.
A testament to shared purpose.

After Glen’s passing, Nina honored the love and legacy they built together by donating the pin collection to the Alabama and Mississippi Region — ensuring that the story they wrote in service will continue to be seen, remembered, and felt.

Glen’s leadership shaped communities.
Nina’s passion preserved the memory of it.

Together, they created a legacy in Red and White.

Their story now lives on — not just in a display case but in every volunteer who answers a call, every family who receives comfort, and every act of compassion that carries the mission forward.

A life of service. A heart for people. A legacy that continues.