A Lifetime of Service: Three Journeys, One Mission

July 27, 2026

By Cheyenne DeGross, American Red Cross Intern

The path to service takes many forms. Sometimes inspiration strikes a desire to give back in retirement, a sudden curiosity that becomes a lifelong passion, or a natural talent used to heal those around you. For Mildred Carter, Roberta Brown and Arian Johnson, their journeys to the American Red Cross were different, but they all found the same thing: A purpose larger than themselves.

Mildred Carter

After a 40-year career with the federal government, Mildred Carter envisioned spending her retirement serving others. Her path became clear during a hospital stay, where she witnessed the compassion and support provided by American Red Cross volunteers. Inspired by what she experienced, Carter joined the Red Cross and found a role that perfectly matched her background in administration and connection to the military community.

Over the past 15 years, Carter has become a cornerstone of the volunteer program at Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center (ATAMMC) on Fort Belvoir in Virginia. She trains new volunteers, matches them with hospital assignments, and helps ensure that patients and service members receive the resources and support they need. Whether providing essential items to hospitalized patients or helping military members adjust to treatment away from home, Carter takes pride in knowing that her work makes a difference every day.

Roberta Brown

Roberta Brown’s Red Cross journey began in 1998 when she joined the Red Cross of Delmarva Chapter’s board of directors. During her professional career as a utility executive, she was closely involved in disaster response and emergency operations. As retirement approached, she began looking for ways to continue serving without returning to disaster work.

That search led her to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Brown pursued instructor training and became one of the few qualified IHL educators in her region. Her dedication eventually led to leadership roles supporting Red Cross programs that educate communities, students, and military personnel about the laws that protect civilians and combatants during armed conflict.

Roberta Brown stands inside Red Cross national office building speaking to two other people

For Brown, the importance of this work extends far beyond the classroom. She believes education about humanitarian law can save lives, reduce suffering and even help prevent the moral injuries that many service members experience during and after conflict. Although she may never personally see the lives impacted by her efforts, she understands the knowledge she shares can create meaningful change.

Arian Johnson

In 2018, Arian Johnson’s family was stationed in Germany. A board-certified music therapist and member of an Air Force family, Johnson wanted to use her professional skills to support service members receiving treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Johnson found a way to help by becoming an American Red Cross volunteer.

For five years in Germany and later at ATAMMC at Fort Belvoir, Johnson has brought music therapy to service members recovering from addiction, traumatic brain injuries and behavioral health challenges. Through music, she helps individuals find comfort, connection and healing during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Johnson says that she originally joined the Red Cross to serve others, but the experience has given just as much back to her. She describes finding a community of compassionate, like-minded volunteers who quickly became close friends. The Red Cross became a place where, no matter where military life moved her family, she could always find purpose and belonging.

These three exemplary volunteers were recently honored with American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces & International Services Lifetime Achievement Awards for contributing more than 4,000 volunteer hours of service.

Although their paths are different, Carter, Brown, and Johnson share a common commitment to service. Whether mentoring students, teaching humanitarian law or healing through music, each has devoted countless hours to helping others.

One person, one volunteer, one act of compassion at a time to help keep mission alive.