Kim Mailes, American Red Cross
The American Red Cross wasn’t on John Stevens’ mind when he parachuted onto Normandy Beach on D-Day in 1944 during World War II. He was just hoping to survive. Little did he know that he would be injured upon landing and captured by German forces, and for the rest of his life he credited the Red Cross with helping him make it through.
His daughter Mary Kay Robinson, born the day before her father was captured, recalled these memories in a recent phone call to Phyllis Vanderbilt, Red Cross Operations Specialist.
“Her story is heartwarming,” Phyllis said. “She is so happy with the Red Cross, and gets joy just by seeing our logo on our fleet.” Mary Kay had called the Little Rock, Arkansas, Red Cross office to find out how to donate, just to say thanks for all the Red Cross has meant to her family over the past eight decades.
“My mother didn’t hear anything about dad’s whereabouts for weeks,” Mary Kay said. “She nearly gave up hope that he was still alive.”
A Western Union telegram finally arrived on August 16, 1944: “Report just received through the International Red Cross states that your husband John M. Stevens, Jr. is a prisoner of war of the German government.“
Relieved by the news that he was alive, but concerned about his circumstances, the family began preparing care packages that were then delivered by the Red Cross.
“Those packages were like pots of gold,” Mary Kay said, “because the prisoners could barter the contents with the guards for larger food rations. My mother always packed a few cigarettes after she discovered they were the most marketable items.”
After the war, John returned to life on his Arkansas farm, and young Mary Kay witnessed firsthand her father’s steady devotion to the American Red Cross.
“He was touched with extreme gratefulness for what the Red Cross had done for him in his darkest hours, and dedicated himself to donate blood for the rest of his life.”
“He was just like a clock, every fifty-six days—I know, because I witnessed it. He would make the fifteen-mile journey, down the dirt road to the gravel road, and finally to the paved county road to Blytheville, Arkansas, just to keep his donation appointment.”
“I remember a few times my mother saying, ‘John, it’s only been fifty-five days.’ But he was bound and determined to donate.”
Mary Kay remembers that when spring rains were forecast, he sometimes made the trip to town a day or two early to plead for an exemption so he could go ahead and donate.
“We lived on a farm, and our place was fifteen miles from town. We lived on a dirt road, and when it rained you didn’t go to town because you were going to need a tractor to pull you out of the muddy ruts. Plus, he had to be on the farm, particularly during growing season. So, if he knew bad weather was coming, or if there was a crop to plant or harvest, he would see if they would let him come in and donate just a bit early. He was that dedicated.”
“I think it was Dad’s way of paying back all that had been done for him. He felt like the Red Cross had extended his life beyond his wartime experiences, allowing him to live a full and fruitful life.”
Her father’s devotion to the American Red Cross throughout his life after the war left a deep impression on his daughter. The newspaper obituary announcing his death reported, “Because of the services he received from the Red Cross while a prisoner of war, Mr. Stevens was active in Red Cross work and was a board member of the local chapter.”
“Just the other day I saw the Red Cross on the television news,” Mary Kay said, “and I called to see how I can help. As you get older, you realize things your parents treasured and honored, things that have a great deal of meaning and purpose. You know it’s something we should always hold in high regard.”
The American Red Cross first received a congressional charter in 1900 and to this day is tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families, as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world.
“I think we should all donate, Mary Kay said. “The Red Cross has been doing so much good, for so many years, in so many places. It’s an organization worthy of everyone’s support.”