We are grateful for the sacrifices of those who died or who were injured while serving our country during the war. 

MY NAME IS REGGIE GORDON AND I AM THE CEO OF AMERICAN RED CROSS OF THEVIRGINIACAPITAL REGION.  ON BEHALF OF MY RED CROSS COLLEAGUES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH – BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF (BOTH PAID AND VOLUNTEER), I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOVERNOR MCDONNELL FOR RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE OF US WHO STAND READY TO  PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE TO VIRGINIANS WHEN THEY FACE UNEXPECTED EMERGENCIES OR NATURAL DISASTERS. 

AT THIS VERY MOMENT, SOME FAMILY IS RECEIVING CRITICAL SUPPORT FROM THE RED CROSS BECAUSE THEIR HOME BURNED DOWN LAST NIGHT, A VIRGINIAN WHO IS SERVING ABROAD IN THE ARMED FORCES IS RECEIVING A RED CROSS COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, A HOSPITAL PATIENT IS RECEIVING A TRANSFUSION OF LIFE SAVING BLOOD THANKS TO A RED CROSS BLOOD DONOR, A WOMAN IS LEARNING HOW TO SAVE A LIFE BY TAKING A CPR COURSE, A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT IS COLLECTING MONEY TO SUPPORT THE WORLD WIDE RED CROSS MEASLES INITIATIVE.

THESE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW VIRGINIANS OF ALL AGE GROUPS ARE CONNECTED TO THE RED CROSS.  PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE THE RED CROSS IN YOUR COMMUNITY BY VISITING RED CROSS.ORG.  THE ONLY REASON WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THAT WE DO EACH DAY IS BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED GENEROSITY OF RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER TIME BY VIRGINIANS WHO SHARE IN OUR DESIRE TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED WHO LIVE DOWN THE STREET OR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD.      

Just by happenstance, I stood next to a Vietnam War veteran and a Gulf War veteran, amidst a crowd of hundreds of people, at the annual Veterans’ Day Observance at the Virginia War Memorial on today.  The event was held outside under a crisp, blue sky.  The crowd reflected the diversity of our community including current members of the armed forces, veterans, children, octogenarians, public officials and representatives from civic organizations.  We placed our hand over our heart, we sang, we listened to speeches, we applauded, we laid wreaths.  The program was appropriately respectful and inspiring.  Those of us who had not served the country as a member of the military were reminded of the sacrifices that were made by service men and women and their families, so that we might enjoy the freedoms that we often take for granted.  At the conclusion of the program and as we were about to depart, I turned to the men on my right and left and said, “Thank you for your service.”  As we shook hands, they stared at the Red Cross pin on my lapel.  They both said, “No, thank you.  We could not have done what we were able to do if it were not for the Red Cross.”  I felt like they were saluting the Red Cross. 

I hereby relay that sense of gratitude from those men to every Red Cross staff member, paid and volunteer, who has supported the needs of our service men and women and their families throughout the years.   Thank you for your service.

Paul Hundley, our Regional Director of Emergency Services, and I had the honor of representing the Red Cross at the Richmond City Council Meeting on Monday.  The Red Cross, along with first responders and emergency managers in the City, received the “Richmond Joint Emergency Response Award.”  Here is some of the language that is included on the award:

“The hurricane’s devastation caused more than 700 downed trees, thousands of broken tree limbs, flooding; and, damaged and destroyed vehicles, businesses, homes, fences and structures.  This included hundreds of city street blocks becoming impassable due to broken limbs and debris; thousands of snapped electrical wires; and hundreds of broken electrical polls.  In total, more than 1.2 million homes and businesses lost power in Virginia, which included 70 percent of Richmond  being without power; some for more than a week.

Responding to the needs of Richmond families, government, nonprofits, businesses and individuals came together to clear trees, debris, streets; reconnect power; and, provide food and shelter to those in need.  This immense effort included thousands of people working day and night and throughout the weekend to restore families; damaged homes; and, living without power themselves.”

Thank you paid and volunteer staff and donors for making it possible for us to serve thousands of people in this community who needed our help. 

Thank you City of Richmond for the recognition.

Some of our current volunteers became connected to the Red Cross as a result of 9/11.  These are people who either wanted or needed to find a meaningful way to demonstrate the compassion that they felt for their fellow man.  We are grateful for the ten years of dedicated service that these individuals have given to the organization.  They have joined with our other volunteers and provided hope to thousands of people who have turned to us for help during times of distress, anxiety and grief during this past decade.

Disasters and crises, whether natural or man made, can bring out the good in humanity.  The barriers that often make us tentative about interacting with strangers seem to evaporate during disasters and what remains is an earnest desire to help another human being who is suffering.  Imagine a world where we interacted with each other as if we were in disaster mode.  Obviously, we have the ability to look pass those things which appear to separate us.  As the leader of the Red Cross in this region, I see humanity at its best everyday.  Thank you for doing your job well, volunteering your time or donating your money to help a stranger when they are in desperate need of non judgmental, unbiased, human compassion.