Right... it's always "I love America ,and that's why I think we need to [blah, blah, blah...]"
The Fundamental Principles that guide the American Red Cross - Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntarism, Unity and Universality - are more important today than ever before.
The Red Cross is woven into the fabric of American history, responding to those who have needed help for more than 100 years. Whether it has been a hurricane, earthquake, local house fire or world war, the American Red Cross has supported people around the world, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or religion.
With the President of the United States serving as our honorary chairman, the American Red Cross does honor the freedoms of this country. Songs like "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful," and "The Star-Spangled Banner" are often celebrated within the American Red Cross at volunteer recognition events, official organizational meetings, and other Red Cross functions. National headquarters fully supports its own Red Cross Choir, which for several years has performed these and other inspirational and patriotic songs.
In the ranks of Red Cross volunteers and employees, there is wide religious and cultural diversity. In the spirit of inclusivity, these individuals help us establish celebrations for internal and external audiences that appropriately recognize other faiths and cultures. It is this spirit that allows the organization to maintain the public's long held trust that the Red Cross is always there to help. Recently an error in judgement was made by an employee of the organization during the planning of a Red Cross recognition event. This unfortunate incident, in which we were unable to come to an agreement regarding the content of an appropriate, inclusive volunteer recognition event, resulted in an unintended affront to many of our long time supporters. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest apologies to those we may have offended.
The American Red Cross joins the millions of Americans who believe that America is, indeed, beautiful, from sea to shining sea.
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Allen, Dana[AllenDa@usa.redcross.org]
>Date: Monday, March 11, 2002 12:08 PM
>To: Info, American Red Cross[Info@usa.redcross.org]
>Subject: FW:
Original Message-----
>From: John Wonderly [mailto:jrwskw@fwi.com]
>Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 1:39 PM
>To: allenda@usa.redcross.org
>Dana Allen: >In reference to your March 8,2002 press release,the only "religion" you >are concerned about with your stance is the religion of moral >relativism.
And make no mistake,it IS a religion by definition. >
"God" is whatever "God" is to all religions,except for the >aforementioned athiestic religion. >
Please reconsider this policial correctness taken to a ridiculous >extreme. >
I thought the 3,000 deaths of September 11,2001 would put an end to >this >nonsense.I was wrong. >
>John Wonderly
>Huntington,Indiana