by Alyx Flatly/American Red Cross
“Just reach out to a veteran and say, ‘thank you for your service.’ That’s it. That’s all you have to do” suggested Lynda Palmer when asked what folks can do to mark Veteran’s Day.
Lynda is both an army veteran and a 30-year volunteer with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, where she supports the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) line of service. SAF volunteers help members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Assistance includes home comforts and critical services on bases and in military hospitals around the world, supporting military families during deployments and emergencies and serving veterans long after their service ends.
In 1973, Lynda joined the Women’s Army Core (WAC) for the GI Bill, at a time when the army was not co-ed. She is still amused that the vocational exam revealed she had an aptitude for commanding general.
“The exam results made sense because being the oldest daughter [in a family of 11], I sometimes felt like a general in charge.”
Lynda became an orthopedic technician at Fort Hood Army Base where she cared for thousands of service members, some in training and others recently returned from Vietnam. Lynda found her military work rewarding.
“It was my desire of heart to give these guys the welcome they deserved, and the best darn care that we could give them,” Lynda said of her military experience. “As a veteran, I love the idea that the Red Cross is doing what we can to help.”
One of Lynda’s favorite jobs is to hand out coffee and snacks to those at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where potential recruits must pass a physical exam prior to enlisting.
“What we do at MEPS may seem trivial but I'm telling you it is a marvelous experience,” Lynda says of her volunteer work. “I’m able to provide a kind smile and an understanding ear.”
While working a MEPS events, Lynda recalled meeting a young woman whose physical exam revealed she had poor vision in one eye and feared the diagnosis was going to keep her from being able to enlist. Lynda told her, “Sweetie, you can get glasses, you're gonna be fine.” Not half an hour later the young woman came back to Lynda and said she passed her exam, and that it was the best day in her life.
In honor of Veterans Day, we thank Lynda for a life of service, where for decades she has served those who serve our nation — first in service to her country and now as a Red Cross volunteer.
Want to support military and veteran families in your community? Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.
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