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10th Mountain Divsion, American Red Cross, American Red Cross NH, Camp Swift Texas, Letters Home, NH Volunteers, Red Cross Stories, Red Cross Volunteers, Volunteers, WWII
by Gail Thorell Schilling, American Red Cross New Hampshire Volunteer and guest blogger
How has the Red Cross touched you? Did you take a class or give blood that saved a life? Did the Red Cross offer relief to you and your loved ones after the trauma of unthinkable events? Did the Red Cross help you to stay in touch with those in the military or overseas? More than 100 years of service to New Hampshire has generated countless stories of compassion. These stories can inspire others to volunteer, too.
The New Hampshire Region of the American Red Cross invites you to share simple stories of the ways the Red Cross has touched your life. You don’t need to be a journalist – just write as though you’re talking to a friend. After all, that’s what the folks at Red Cross are: friends when you need them most.
Our first story shares how a soldier received extra care – and stationery to write to his New Hampshire sweetheart – shortly before he left for combat 70 years ago. He returned from war to become a dedicated blood donor.
While sifting through Mom’s personal effects following her death last month, I found a treasure trove of letters my late Dad had written while serving in the US Army in 1944. Among those, I discovered three written on Red Cross stationery while he had been training at Camp Swift, Texas. Apparently, the Red Cross had assisted in his convalescence following tonsil surgery. He enjoyed the rest but clearly wasn’t used to it and wrote “waiting around for meals and temperatures is about the most excitement here.” Dad also wrote, “Every other day we see a movie here at the Red Cross. Yesterday I saw Bette Davis in ‘Mrs.Skeffington’. I liked it.”In another letter, he claimed, “My nurse gave me one hundred percent for good conduct. I asked if there were any points in it. I’m after points now.” [Discharges were based on accrued points.]
Within four months of writing these letters, Dad and his 10th Mountain Division were deployed to the Italian Alps and some of the worst fighting of the war. Mercifully, he came home, married Mom, settled near Manchester –and donated blood to the Red Cross for decades.
I am grateful to the Red Cross for the service and comfort they provided to my soldier Dad 70 years ago. Though I have already volunteered for five years, his Red Cross letters inspire me to continue giving back. Thank you, Red Cross.
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