WHEREAS, those serving our country in the armed forces and their families face great challenges, and the American Red Cross has an historic and unique role in helping them meet those challenges; and
 

        WHEREAS, the need for support services for military families and veterans has risen dramatically with the increase in military operations around the world; and
 

        WHEREAS, the American Red Cross provides both active duty and community-based military personnel with emergency communications that connect them with their families, providing an essential link during urgent family crises such as critical illness, death or the birth of a child; and
 

        WHEREAS, the American Red Cross provides other critical services, such as access to financial assistance, counseling and assistance to veterans; and
 

        WHEREAS, prior to deployment, through the Get to Know Us Program, the American Red Cross orients soldiers and their families with an understanding of Red Cross services and veterans benefits available to them; and
 

        WHEREAS, each year American Red Cross volunteers proudly assist veterans in VA medical facilities in a variety of ways, including physical rehabilitation, dietetic, nursing and ward services; and
 

        WHEREAS, all American Red Cross support services to military families and veterans are provided free of monetary compensation or membership fee; and
 

        WHEREAS, the American Red Cross wants military personnel, veterans and their families to have the peace of mind that the organization will support them and assist them before, during and after their service to our country; and
 

        WHEREAS, Service to the Armed Forces and their families is an historic and core mission of the American Red Cross, mandated in its original 1905 congressional charter and proudly continued to this day;
 

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, GOVERNOR C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, do hereby proclaim November 12, 2007 as a day reaffirming the commitment of the American Red Cross to support the military personnel, their families and veterans.
 

AMERICAN RED CROSS AWARENESS DAY

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 26th day of October in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE