By Brianna Kelly, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross Southern California Region is proud to honor local veterans making a difference every day. In communities across SoCal, many veterans are serving their country a second time through their work with the American Red Cross. These hometown heroes can be found supporting the Red Cross mission as staff and volunteers across all lines of service, and as Red Cross certified instructors and trainers in the community.

One of these heroes, CAPT Jose Gurganus, is making an impact as a Red Cross Certified Instructor. Red Cross Certified Instructors like CAPT Gurganus play a vital role in ensuring community members are ready to respond to emergencies by providing high-quality health and safety training classes to organizations and companies of all kinds.

“I really enjoy helping people, and teaching other people to help people,” says CAPT Gurganus, who currently works as a captain with City Experiences/City Cruises by Hornblower.

As a Red Cross Certified Instructor, CAPT Gurganus has provided vital First Aid/CPR/AED training to fellow crew members. In fact, one man is alive today thanks to CAPT Gurganus and his team.

“One of the crew had a heart attack on the ship and I performed CPR, and he survived,” says CAPT Gurganus. “He was by all means dead…I started commencing CPR, just like we did in the Red Cross CPR training I had previously done with the team, and we jumped into action. It’s a miracle that he is still walking and talking. That all comes from training. I’m thankful to be part of the Red Cross.”

For CAPT Gurganus, it’s all about giving back and providing valuable, lifesaving knowledge and skills training to others, who can then feel better equipped to respond to life’s emergencies.

“I really enjoy teaching and giving people knowledge and something they can use,” says CAPT Gurganus. “I think that’s really important in our society. Those who can do, should do. I always tell people, everybody can do something.”

The Red Cross Southern California Region is proud to support America’s military and veteran families, and serve those who have served our nation. Are you looking for ways to give back to our nation’s heroes and their families? You can honor those who have served by giving your time as a Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteer. Sign up to volunteer with the Red Cross and start helping military families today. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more. To learn more about Red Cross programs and services available to military members, veterans and their families, visit redcross.org/military.