By: Kara Witsoe, Northwest Region Volunteer

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We are surrounded by everyday heroes. We walk by police听officers and firefighters on the streets in our towns and cities and chat with听our neighbors, who may be teachers, nurses, or doctors. Don Wicks is one of听those heroes, as he鈥檚 been serving his country and community in many impactful听ways for more than 65 years. It would be hard to find a more hard-working,听dedicated volunteer.

Don, who lives in Richland, Washington, is a decorated听national hero who has devoted his post-military retirement life to the Red听Cross. He joined the Army one week after graduating from his Moscow, Idaho high听school, where he learned the values of discipline, hard work and perseverance听as a talented athlete. He relied on those skills in many dangerous assignments听throughout the world.

His first posting in a 30-year military career was in the听volatile demilitarized zone between the North and South Korean border. He had听his first experience with the Red Cross when female Donut Dollies volunteers听visited his base camp to provide entertainment, conversation, solace and a听connection to home for American soldiers. His next听encounter with them was听in a Vietnam hospital while he recovered from a serious injury caused by an IED听explosion.

Don was later sent to Ft. Knox, where he first volunteered听for the Red Cross processing emergency correspondence for other soldiers when听he was off duty 鈥� the start of a 64-year period dedicated to helping others听around the world.

A highlight of his expansive military career was becoming听only the 79th person in nearly 40 years to earn the prestigious Golden Order of听St. George award for his lifetime achievements in the Army鈥檚 Armor and Cavalry.听After protecting American freedom and democracy for three decades, he retired听as a first sergeant in 1988 and entered a different era of service.

His new听mission: the Red Cross.

鈥淚 joined the Red Cross and was sent off to help victims of听Hurricane Rita. I arrived in Houston and helped with security,鈥� he said. 鈥淎fter听a month, I volunteered for Katrina in New Orleans as a safety and security supervisor. After 4 months, I decided to go home to the Central and听Southeastern Washington Chapter of the Red Cross.鈥�

Since then, Don has taken on an array of volunteer roles. 鈥淚听work depending on the need. Sometimes it鈥檚 8 hours a week and sometimes it鈥檚听70,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he time spent isn鈥檛 really a factor. I think I got it from my 30 years in the service, where we were on standby 24/7.鈥�

He represents the Red Cross at Veterans Day and Memorial Day听parades and community events, helps at-risk veterans on the verge of听homelessness, and assists with disaster relief logistics, facility management and transportation among other duties. He鈥檚 also an outreach volunteer for the Service听to the Armed Forces department, which provides critical assistance to military personnel, their families and veterans from the moment they enlist to听years after they leave the service. Don enjoys connecting with local veterans听at breakfast meetings every other week and appreciates the personal rewards of听positively impacting the lives of others.

鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 get satisfaction from volunteering, I wouldn鈥檛 do it,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚 like to help people and enjoy chatting with folks from听all walks of life. I have always tried to help where help is needed.鈥�

Michele Roth, executive director of the Red听Cross Central and Southeastern Washington Chapter, appreciates the value of听Don鈥檚 extensive military career.

鈥淒on's first-hand knowledge and experiences definitely help听us better understand and serve our community,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e brings so much听historical knowledge to our chapter and is well known and highly respected by his fellow veterans.鈥�

He inspires in other ways, too.听

鈥淒on鈥檚 always willing to help with whatever we need at our听chapter. He鈥檚 dependable and cares so much about his fellow veterans and听military members,鈥� she shared. 鈥淒on is extremely respectful, kind and always positive. What's really heartwarming is that no matter what's going on, he听always remains focused on delivering our mission. We鈥檙e so grateful to have him as part of our Red Cross family.鈥�

There鈥檚 no question that Don鈥檚 dedication, expertise and听compassion have benefited his country, community and the entire Red Cross听organization.

The Red Cross is actively looking for more Service to the Armed听Forces and Disaster Action Team volunteers in southeastern and central听Washington. To learn more about needed volunteer positions and help people in your community, click here听or contact Lynne Calmus at lynne.calmus@redcross.org or 509-316-1845.

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