By: Kara Witsoe, Northwest Region Volunteer

We are surrounded by everyday heroes. We walk by police officers and firefighters on the streets in our towns and cities and chat with our neighbors, who may be teachers, nurses, or doctors. Don Wicks is one of those heroes, as he’s been serving his country and community in many impactful ways for more than 65 years. It would be hard to find a more hard-working, dedicated volunteer.

Don, who lives in Richland, Washington, is a decorated national hero who has devoted his post-military retirement life to the Red Cross. He joined the Army one week after graduating from his Moscow, Idaho high school, where he learned the values of discipline, hard work and perseverance as a talented athlete. He relied on those skills in many dangerous assignments throughout the world.

His first posting in a 30-year military career was in the volatile demilitarized zone between the North and South Korean border. He had his first experience with the Red Cross when female Donut Dollies volunteers visited his base camp to provide entertainment, conversation, solace and a connection to home for American soldiers. His next encounter with them was in a Vietnam hospital while he recovered from a serious injury caused by an IED explosion.

Don was later sent to Ft. Knox, where he first volunteered for the Red Cross processing emergency correspondence for other soldiers when he was off duty – the start of a 64-year period dedicated to helping others around the world.

A highlight of his expansive military career was becoming only the 79th person in nearly 40 years to earn the prestigious Golden Order of St. George award for his lifetime achievements in the Army’s Armor and Cavalry. After protecting American freedom and democracy for three decades, he retired as a first sergeant in 1988 and entered a different era of service.

His new mission: the Red Cross.

“I joined the Red Cross and was sent off to help victims of Hurricane Rita. I arrived in Houston and helped with security,” he said. “After a month, I volunteered for Katrina in New Orleans as a safety and security supervisor. After 4 months, I decided to go home to the Central and Southeastern Washington Chapter of the Red Cross.”

Since then, Don has taken on an array of volunteer roles. “I work depending on the need. Sometimes it’s 8 hours a week and sometimes it’s 70,” he said. “The time spent isn’t really a factor. I think I got it from my 30 years in the service, where we were on standby 24/7.”

He represents the Red Cross at Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades and community events, helps at-risk veterans on the verge of homelessness, and assists with disaster relief logistics, facility management and transportation among other duties. He’s also an outreach volunteer for the Service to the Armed Forces department, which provides critical assistance to military personnel, their families and veterans from the moment they enlist to years after they leave the service. Don enjoys connecting with local veterans at breakfast meetings every other week and appreciates the personal rewards of positively impacting the lives of others.

“If I didn’t get satisfaction from volunteering, I wouldn’t do it,” he shared. “I like to help people and enjoy chatting with folks from all walks of life. I have always tried to help where help is needed.”

Michele Roth, executive director of the Red Cross Central and Southeastern Washington Chapter, appreciates the value of Don’s extensive military career.

“Don's first-hand knowledge and experiences definitely help us better understand and serve our community,” she said. “He brings so much historical knowledge to our chapter and is well known and highly respected by his fellow veterans.”

He inspires in other ways, too. 

“Don’s always willing to help with whatever we need at our chapter. He’s dependable and cares so much about his fellow veterans and military members,” she shared. “Don is extremely respectful, kind and always positive. What's really heartwarming is that no matter what's going on, he always remains focused on delivering our mission. We’re so grateful to have him as part of our Red Cross family.”

There’s no question that Don’s dedication, expertise and compassion have benefited his country, community and the entire Red Cross organization.

The Red Cross is actively looking for more Service to the Armed Forces and Disaster Action Team volunteers in southeastern and central Washington. To learn more about needed volunteer positions and help people in your community, click here or contact Lynne Calmus at lynne.calmus@redcross.org or 509-316-1845.