Red Cross honors veterans and military families this Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region honors those who have served and recognizes the experiences, sacrifices and continued contributions of veterans and military families in communities across the country.

A trio of Hawai‘i based veterans, bring larger meaning to the concept of duty to their country and their community. On this Veterans Day, the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region honors Jasmine Ricks, Mara Eck and Rodney Boucher.

• Army veteran Jasmine Ricks serves as an events coordinator supporting VA food drives and community events, crediting her Red Cross service with inspiring her to earn a master’s degree in social work.
• US Army veteran Mara Eck brings comfort to service members and hospital patients through the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program alongside her certified therapy dog, Makana.
• Navy veteran Rodney Boucher applies his global logistics experience to volunteer with the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces team and support fellow veterans at military medical facilities.

Their military and professional backgrounds are quite diverse, but they were all led to volunteer with the Red Cross. They each embody the spirit of the Red Cross, which constantly strives to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Whether someone is serving today, transitioned out of military service decades ago, lives near a military installation or simply knows a veteran, military service is part of the fabric of communities across the Pacific Islands.

More than 15 million veterans live in communities across the United States alongside millions of current service members. Veterans are our neighbors, coworkers, family members and community leaders, making support for the military community important for all.

“Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor those who have served while also recognizing the importance of supporting veterans and military families throughout every stage of their journey,” said Julie Greenly, Regional Service to the Armed Forces Director. “The Red Cross is proud to stand alongside the military community by providing connection, care and resources that support their health and well-being.”

The Red Cross has proudly supported service members and veterans for decades, and that commitment continues through programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the military community.

One of the newest resources is the Military 2 Veteran Network (M2VN), a peer support network available to current and former service members and veterans. Designed by veterans, for veterans, M2VN takes an evidence-based, holistic approach to building an online community centered on peer-to-peer support and led by trained volunteers who understand the military journey.

For many service members, transitioning from military to civilian life can mean losing the sense of connection and community that came with service. Through a secure online community, participants can take part in regularly scheduled peer support groups and chats, self-care practices and education, whole health and wellness workshops and opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.

The Red Cross also supports the whole health needs of the military community through wellness workshops, hospital and clinic programs, peer support and more. Over the past year, our Regional Red Cross team reached 36,542 people through whole health programming and services.

In the Pacific Islands Region Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces staff and volunteers support local service members and military families through our Animal Visitation Program, Dental Assistant Program, Wellness Workshops, and much more that lifts their spirits and elevates their wellbeing.

Learn more about Red Cross services for the military and veteran community at redcross.org/veterans.