This Veterans Day, November 11, 2023, the American Red Cross is recognizing veterans who continue their service in local communities across the country. Veterans who step up to serve their communities through the Red Cross remind us of our founder, Clara Barton.

For more than 140 years, the American Red Cross has served military members, veterans and their families. Throughout the many decades, veterans have stepped up to support their communities after their active-duty service ends by volunteering with the Red Cross. From the front lines of disaster recovery to service in the Veterans Administration (VA) and military hospitals across the nation and around the world, their impact is integral to the Red Cross mission.

Retired Sargeant First Class Seeks Service After Service After serving 30 years in the United States Army, Diane Carter isn’t done. Her gifts of time and talent continue to serve others with the Red Cross.

“Over the course of my 30-year military career, I saw the Red Cross time and time again come forth and support my soldiers and myself when we most needed it. Communications and flights home when a new baby arrived or one of our soldiers lost a loved one—the Red Cross was there to help with compassion and care. Serving with fellow Red Cross volunteers was the natural thing to do post-retirement,” said Diane Carter, Red Cross Volunteer and retired US Army, Sergeant First Class.

As disasters roil communities across the country, veterans like Diane are donning the Red Cross vest and lending a hand to those in need in their local communities. At military bases and in local neighborhoods, veterans are rolling up their sleeves to donate blood and help give the critical gift of life. Whether teaching lifesaving skills or giving back to their own by volunteering to assist fellow veterans, they are making an impact through the teamwork and dedication that served them well during military service.

THE HEART OF OUR WORKFORCE Over 20,000 Red Cross volunteers are veterans. Veterans hold many positions at the Red Cross, from nurses to logisticians, emergency management experts, project managers and preparedness experts, as well as a number of veterans in leadership roles at local Red Cross chapters across the country.

GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME Join the Hero Care Network as a volunteer caseworker and help provide the critical link for military members, veterans and their families during emergency situations. To learn more about how you can give back to your community this Veterans Day, visit redcross.org/HeroCareVolunteer  

HOME FIRE REPSONSE Over the past week, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 10 people in Quincy, Muscatine, and Galesburg affected by three home fires, which account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

Please call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) if you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster.