Tag Archives: Veterans

From PSYOP to Public Affairs: Honoring a Veteran and Volunteer Leader

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Colonel (Retired) Larry Dietz, US Army (left) and Dr. Liz Dietz, EdD, RN (right) take a break at the Moffett Field Veterans Fair.

When Larry Dietz first walked into an American Red Cross meeting 25 years ago, he brought with him a lifetime of service, first to his country, then to his community. A decorated veteran with a distinguished career in psychological operations (PSYOP), military intelligence and law, Larry understood the power of communication and humanitarian principles. Today, as the recipient of the Red Cross Clara Barton Award, the highest honor for volunteer achievement at the chapter level, Larry’s legacy reflects both his military roots and his commitment to the Red Cross mission.

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Building un-fur-gettable memories: A Red Cross volunteer helps veterans and dogs connect in the Central Coast Chapter

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Each time a team of dogs and their handlers descends on the Major General William H. Gourley VA-DoD Outpatient Clinic in Marina, California, American Red Cross volunteer Penny Mount cannot help but feel a sense of satisfaction.   She knows these dogs have a meaningful impact on patients, less than a year after their first visit as part of the first Red Cross’s Animal Visitation Program (AVP) in California’s Central Coast.

Penny started the AVP program in November 2024 at the request of her supervisor, Nikki Rowe. She had never built a similar program and “I knew nothing about therapy dogs,” says Penny.  So, she reached out to local resources, including the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. 

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Goodies, Good Company and Guidance: Red Cross Supports Veterans at Stand Down Event

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By Alex Keilty

From left – Red Crossers Colin Clover, Ziya Dikhan, Mary Lee and Penny Mount greeted veterans at the Santa Clara County Stand Down. Photo: Alex Keilty – American Red Cross

Colin Clover comes from a military family. When asked how many of his family members are in the Armed Forces he said, “Too many to mention!” Although he didn’t go into the service himself, he wondered how to support people like his grandfather, cousins, aunts and uncles who had served in the Armed Forces.

Then he found out about the Service to the Armed Forces work of American Red Cross and he had found a way to help. First, he was a volunteer and now he is an employee working as a program specialist for Service to the Armed Forces and International Services.

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