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.
Palmer is a volunteer with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region where she supports the Service to Armed Forces team. This line of service provides critical support services to active-duty military and their families as well as veterans — delivering a broad spectrum of services including emergency communications and financial and referral assistance.
When Palmer enlisted in 1973, the Army was not yet coed, and was amused when the vocational exam revealed she had an aptitude for Commanding General, not surprising feedback for the eldest daughter in a family of 11.
Palmer joined the Women’s Army Core (WAC) for the benefits of the GI Bill and trained to be an orthopedic technician. Stationed at Fort Hood Army base, Palmer cared for thousands of servicemen, some in training at Fort Hood and others returning from Vietnam, work she found to be very 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.”
A Red Cross supporter for over 30 years, Palmer and draws upon her military experience to make connections. One of her favorite jobs is to hand out coffee and snacks to those at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where recruits must pass a physical exam prior to enlisting. She's able to provide a kind smile and an understanding ear.
Palmer recalled meeting a young woman whose physical exam revealed she had poor vision in one eye, leaving the recruit afraid this was going to keep her from being able to enlist. Palmer ensured the woman she could get glasses and would be fine. Not half an hour later, the recruit returned to Palmer and gleefully shared she had passed her physical exam, further exclaiming it the best day in her life.
We thank Lynda Palmer for her service, and for continuing to care for others 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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