Posted on 12/27/2004 3:16:15 PM PST by ExSoldier
Son, I hold the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross (three awards), the Silver Star and I've been credited with seventeen air to air kills in the Pacific Theatre while flying with both the Black Sheep and Blackburns Irregulars. I'm here to tell you that to this day: I HATE THE RED CROSS!!!
Why, dad?
Because they charged us for everything we ever got from them. Didn't matter if it was a bar of soap, a razor or a candy bar, if the Red Cross provided it in a combat zone, the men who did the dyin' paid cash money! I won't take squat from them to this day. I sure won't give 'em anything, either!
Wow. Probably explains why I always have an urge to drop money in a red kettle when I see one but don't feel much for the other. Problem with the Red Cross: Like most corporations (it's run like one) they do not punish the evildoers....
Also, I can clearly remember my Dad (USMC 42-45) telling me the same thing about the Red Cross in the Pacific theater.
Salvation Army, USO's (stateside), and Hollywood were the great supporters of the troops in WWII and KW.
Drop in to any VFW (very soon...before it is too late) and just ask around.
One of the dumbest things I ever did was send the Red Cross a donation after 911. Next thing you hear is how they are out shopping for new office equipment. Never Again.
But that doesn't explain why they charged my wounded cousin for stuff in the Korean War.
He had no kind words about the Red Cross.
My guess is the Salvation Army was not requested to establish the services and as a result, so ordered...
The Salvation Army gets it all, from this house, to this day. In a way, I think the SA is a little goofy, but they are sincere, mean every word, really DO help people, and do not spend the money on Lear Jets for their directors.
The Portland area honcho for the Goodwill is knocking down $250,000 P/A, plus bennies. Needless to say, I too support the Salvation Army.
Ping.
Stimson said ONLY IN THE BRITISH ISLES!!
OMG those lying sumsab****es!!!
Being from South Texas, I heard the same thing about the Red Cross in relation to hurricane victims. I remember hearing that they charged people who had lost everything in hurricanes and tornados.
1953 and my dad was working as a truck salesman in Sioux City, Iowa. Floods came along and ravaged the downtown area with water reaching halfway up the walls in his office.
He escaped to a railroad overpass, carrying the safe from his office. He was stuck there 2 or 3 days ( I don't recall) and during that time saved a couple people who were floating down the raging waters. he also pulled two bodies out of the water, risking his life to pull them in.
The Red X had boats running through the water (and offered to take the safe) but REFUSED to take those on the bridge with them. OH, they brought coffee and sandwiches but charged $1.00 for the coffee (in 1953????) and more for the sandwiches.
In 1955, the day after Christmas, he collapsed from what later diagnosed as a malignant brain tumor. This necessitated an exploratory operation and blood transfusions.
The hospital was short of blood and asked Red X to supply. They refused unless we replaced that used on a 2 for one basis. Now finding 10 people to give blood over the Christmas holiday was a bitch. Fortunately, my dad was well known and respected and his buddies came through.
He died of the disease 6 months later but my opinion of the Red X lasts to this day.
SCREW THEM!!!
My Father who was in WW one hated the red cross, I don't know if he ever told me the reason.
Secretary of War Stimson's 1942 "letter of request" was not an order, it wasn't set in bronze and it doesn't need to be heeded today.
For all the grief this has caused, you think someone would have figured out it's time to dump the dinosaur model.
Folks, I'm not here to sing praises of the RC, make statements about Korea, or compare to the Salvation Army.
I'll bet you didn't know about that Stimson letter tho', didja ya?
While I was in Viet Nam, my step-father died and I did not have the money to fly home. The Red Cross would provide an airline ticket if you signed a contract to have it come out of your paycheck in increments. The Salvation Army offered a ticket with no strings attached.
Yup.
Scott Ott at http://www.scrappleface.com has a series of donation links for the Asia quake - tsunami disaster. Included are the Southern Baptists, whom he says do a great job with emergency relief and don't let any of the donations stick to their fingers.
I remember hearing these type of stories about the Red Cross charging
In fact .. Weren't there articles about the Red Cross charging for coffee at 9/11 Ground Zero ??
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