Photo By Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur | On the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the bell at the...... read more read more
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On the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the bell at the Capitol's steps was rung 11 times to honor those who have served before us. After the bell ceremony, the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho held a Service to the Armed Forces event to thank veterans, military service members and their families. Several keynote speakers who gave their thanks were Governor Brad Little, Idaho Sen. James Risch, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Adjutant General of Idaho Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak.
"The men and women serving in our armed forces, past and present, deserve our gratitude and never-ending support for preserving and defending our freedom," said Gov. Little. "I appreciate the Red Cross of Greater Idaho and its Service to the Armed Forces program for supporting our veterans and military members and their families."
Several Idaho companies and individuals stepped up during October to pay tribute to Idaho veterans and to the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces program in anticipation of today’s event. It started as a challenge with the promise of an additional $26,000 from two Red Cross of Greater Idaho Board members, Roy Eiguren and Andy Marshall. To date, more than $48,000 has been raised from the donors and the board members.
“The Red Cross has great personal meaning to me. My father Joe served in General George Patton’s 3rd American Army in World War II,” said Eiguren. “He was severely wounded in what is known as the Battle of the Bulge – one of the epic battles of war. He was hit with shrapnel from a German shell that exploded in mid-air. He barely survived. Numerous blood transfusions with blood supplied by the Red Cross, along with the then new drug of penicillin, kept him alive.”
The American Red Cross of Greater Idaho has been serving the military community for more than 140 years. The American Red Cross was founded on May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton and in World War II the Red Cross enrolled more than 104,000 nurses for military service, prepared 27 million packages for American and allied prisoners of war and shipped over 300,000 tons of supplies overseas.
"On behalf of all the men and women of the Idaho National Guard, thank you to the veterans who have served before us and to the American Red Cross for all that they do, not only for the military, but for all of our citizens," said Garshak.
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 11.11.2020 23:30 |
| Story ID: | 382824 |
| Location: | BOISE, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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