By Taelor Duckworth, staff contributor, American Red Cross

Dear Veterans (this also includes any active duty, reservists, National Guard members and your families),

Today, we celebrate you. We thank you for your service and your sacrifices. Whether you lost a limb, a friend or spent entirely too much time away from your families, you paid an unimaginable cost so that we can retain the freedoms given to us by the United States Constitution.

Each night when we tuck ourselves into bed and fall fast asleep without worry or fear, it’s because of you. You took oaths and made promises to keep us safe, and you’ve kept them. No matter your branch of service, rank or job title, YOU are appreciated. In all honesty, there’s no way that we could ever thoroughly express our gratitude. So, instead, we simply say “thank you”, and we hope you know how much we mean it.

Today, we also remember the origins of the Red Cross—serving combat wounded on the Civil War battlefields. Many people know us for our Disaster Relief or Blood Services, but Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) is our original line of service.

Clara Barton began our mission caring for wounded warriors more than 130 years ago, and today, we continue it with renewed vigor and commitment.

The Red Cross is the oldest Congressionally-chartered, non-profit Veteran Service Organization. We received our charter on January 5, 1905. Since then we’ve represented countless numbers of veterans.

We work directly with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and countless other veterans service organizations to ensure that each veteran we encounter, finds the help they need.

We mention this line of service to increase veterans’ awareness of the services that are available, but also to remind you: you have taken care of us, now it is our turn to take care of you.

We know many of our volunteers have taken off their military uniforms, and continue to serve by becoming Red Crossers. In the North Texas Region, our staff and volunteers represent all five branches of the Armed Forces, and we are proud and honored to have them on our team.

This Veterans Day, the Red Cross will lead and support more than 300 ceremonies and events across the country, showing our continued commitment to our nation’s finest and their families. In DFW, our SAF team will be marching in the Veteran’s Day Parade to celebrate the past, present and future of our commitment to serving the United States Armed Forces.

Today and every day, we will continue to be by your side. You have served our nation, and we are honored to serve you.

Thank you for your service!

Sincerely,

The American Red Cross North Texas Region

For more information on our Service to the Armed Forces and how you can support America’s veterans, military and their families, click HERE.