A time for remembering

Today is Veteran’s Day. Here in the United States, it’s a solemn holiday when we remember US citizens who fought – and many who died – so we may continue to live free.

When I think of Veteran’s Day, I always remember my Dad.

He was an infantryman in the Rainbow Division who served in the European Theater during World War II. He saw action in France, Germany and Austria. He was wounded during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, and was honorably discharged in 1945.

For his service, he received the Purple Heart and, much later in his life, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

In 2001, Dad’s regiment (Company M 222^nd Infantry Regiment, 42^nd Infantry Rainbow Division) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation “for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy.”

He never told us about the Presidential Unit Citation. We didn’t learn he’d even received notification about the commendation until after he’d died in 2003. He didn’t boast or brag about the medals or the honors. He just quietly accepted them - like so many others who have fought to protect the freedoms we, too often, take for granted.

And Dad, along with thousands of others who fought in European and Pacific Theaters during WWII, was a hero to so many people. Just as he’s still a hero to me.

Dad didn’t talk often about his time in the service. I think there were a lot of painful memories that he’d rather not have had.

He was, after all, a farm boy. His parents didn’t have much besides their land, each other and their children; life was simple. I suspect Dad never thought he’d venture outside ND, let alone outside the United States. But when his country called, he answered; like so many other men and women before and after him.

So today as we salute and honor our nation’s military personnel – past, present and future – I’m remembering my Dad.

Who is in your thoughts?

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Red Cross

Are you and your family Red Cross Ready?

Ah-h-h, Autumn!

We all know the signs that Autumn has arrived: flocks of geese and ducks flying over the lakes and rivers; school buses carrying kids off to class, and leaves turning from green to gold to red.

We pack away the swimsuits, shorts and sandals, and bring out the sweaters and slippers. It’s time to start thinking about snow skiing rather than water skiing.

The change in season also means we’ll be turning up the thermostat, using our fireplaces, and perhaps adding a portable heater to a particularly chilly area in the house. 

But before it gets too far into the season, we ask you to take a few minutes to ensure your family is safe and everyone knows what to do should a fire break out in your home.

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters, and keep those items out of reach. Always keep a three-foot perimeter between small children and open flames.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Did you know that only 26% of families have practiced escaping from their home? Make sure your family knows what the fire alarm sounds like, knows to crawl along the floor and meet outside in a designated area should a fire alarm sound. And make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

The Red Cross Preparedness Fast Facts - Fires page provides a fire prevention and safety checklist to help you ensure you are Red Cross Ready. And check out the Safety Information tab on the Clark County Fire District 6 site to learn more about preventing apartment (and home!) fires, safe practices when burning candles, and guidelines home heating and carbon monoxide safety.

We can never be too prepared or too safe when it comes to our families. So, before the rains start and the temperatures dip, take a few minutes and ensure your home and family are Red Cross Ready.  

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Chapter