SAN FRANCISCO, November 10, 2025 — This Veterans Day, the American Red Cross honors the tremendous service and sacrifice of all who have served and celebrate those who continue their legacy by supporting programs that uplift fellow veterans across the region. At the Red Cross, support for military communities isn’t just one day—it’s every day. Each year across the nation, the American Red Cross assists more than 220,000 military and veteran families through a network of dedicated volunteers—many of whom are veterans themselves.

“Veterans help us deliver the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) mission,” says Nikki Rowe, Red Cross director of Service to the Armed Forces and International Services in the Northern California Coastal Region. “They volunteer and fill leadership positions, supporting veterans and military members in their local community.”

Veteran Volunteers Continue Their Legacy of Service

Across the Northern California Coastal Region, which is comprised of 15 counties across the Greater Bay Area, many veterans continue their commitment to service by volunteering with the Red Cross—sharing their skills, leadership and compassion to strengthen programs that support military members, veterans and their families.

At David Grant Medical Center (DGMC) on Travis Air Force Base, that legacy is embodied by several Air Force veterans who now serve as Red Cross flight surgeons, working alongside medical personnel to ensure airmen are ready to deploy and receive the best care. Retired Air Force physicians Dr. James “Eric” Bermudez, Dr. Dan Canlas and Dr. Justin Nast continue their calling to serve. “These patriotic Americans care so much about the health and well-being of our airmen, that they choose to volunteer with us and to continue the work they did while in uniform,” said Colonel Alexei Kambalov, former 60th Medical Group Administrator at DGMC.

“When patients come in, they automatically trust you when they see the Red Cross,” says Dr. Nast, who now volunteers in the Flight Medicine Clinic after retiring from active duty in 2021. “I wanted to continue to contribute.”

For Dr. Canlas, volunteering with the Red Cross allows him to remain part of a mission he loved. “We offer our services because we enjoy the job so much. It’s such an experience to take care of elite professionals,” he says. He describes missing the job after leaving the Air Force, “I was looking for a way to keep doing what I loved to do.”

Dr. Bermudez says his connection to the Red Cross started long before volunteering, when the organization helped him during a family emergency while he was deployed. He reflects that the best parts of the Air Force are, “the people, their dedication, the friendships, the cohesiveness, and knowing you are part of a mission.” Those, he adds, continue to be the best parts of his volunteer work with the Red Cross.

While these veterans continue their service in a medical setting, others extend their impact through leadership and mentorship roles that strengthen Red Cross programs across the region.

As we celebrate National Veterans and Military Family Month, we honor individuals like Colonel Larry Dietz who embody the values of service and resilience. Over the past two and half decades, Larry has held numerous leadership roles, shaping programs and mentoring volunteers. His strategic insight and humor have earned him the nickname, “Jiminy Cricket” with the Communications team, guiding the team with strategic decisions and inspiring creative thinking.

"The honor of my Red Cross service, beginning in 1999, lies not just in responding to disasters such as floods, and fires, but in working with the people I serve with,” shared Larry. “Applying my military experience, marketing strategy and legal acumen to aid a team of truly good volunteers who want only to help the Red Cross accomplish its mission is a powerful, humbling and ultimately rewarding experience."

Red Cross Programs Bringing Care and Connection to Veterans

Beyond the base, Red Cross volunteers are helping veterans heal in other ways. In Marina, Calif., Red Cross volunteer Penny Mount leads the region’s first Animal Visitation Program (AVP), bringing trained

therapy dogs to the Major General William H. Gourley Veterans Affairs - Department of Defense Outpatient Clinic. This program offers comfort, companionship, and emotional support to veterans to manage the visible and invisible scars of service.

The therapy dogs have quickly become familiar faces to many veterans, often sparking smiles and conversations during their visits, Red Cross volunteer Sharon Bertoli says, “People light up when they see the pet therapy dog. They may not remember the volunteer, but they always remember the dog." The simple presence of the dogs helps veterans relax, open up, and share their stories—creating moments of comfort and connection that last long after each visit.

Further north, in San Francisco, the Red Cross extends its support to veterans staying at the Veterans Affairs Hoptel , which provides temporary lodging for those traveling more than 50 miles to receive outpatient care at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The Hoptel offers veterans a safe and comfortable place to rest during treatment-complete with complimentary meals, Wi-Fi, and accessible facilities for eligible guests. Twice a month, Red Cross volunteers provide a warm welcome and distribute hygiene items to veterans staying at the Hoptel, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and cared for. In addition to that, Red Cross volunteers host dinners and BBQs several times a year, offering warm meals and the comfort of home to veterans receiving care at the VA.

Learn More About Our Service to the Armed Forces:

The American Red Cross remains committed to serving those who served. Together with veterans, families, and volunteers, the Red Cross continues to build a stronger, more connected community of care. To learn more about how the Red Cross supports service veterans, and their families — or to become a volunteer — visit redcross.org/SAF.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on social media.