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Mary (Jacoby) Hastings: Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2013 7:13 PM
 Celebrating World Red Cross Day May 8 by Mary (Jacoby) Hastings World Red Cross Day is celebrated each year on May 8 to emphasize the role of Red Cross members and volunteers in saving lives and aiding defenseless communities around the world. The date for the commemoration was chosen because it is the birthday of Red Cross founder Henri Dunant, a Swiss merchant caught up in the Battle of Solferino, Italy, in1859. In 1862, Dunant published a book recounting his war memoirs in which he proposed the establishment of a neutral independent body of helpers that could provide protection and care for the wounded in case of war regardless of side. |
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Mary (Jacoby) Hastings: Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2013 10:39 AM
Take Me With You Santa Clause! By Mary (Jacoby) Hastings As a journalist I can’t help getting drawn into big news stories and letting them take over my life more obsessively than they should. It is my life-time learner mentality that keeps the questions coming. I have constant thirst for answers in a complicated world. I haven’t found the “off” switch to let me sleep thought-free at night. You know the one; it is connected to a circuit board the keeps us wired and alert during our waking hours. |
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Mary (Jacoby) Hastings: Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2013 4:43 PM
National Guard Chemical Attack Exercise Draws Support from American Red Cross Volunteers By Mary (Jacoby) Hastings  Members of the Army and Air Force National Guard from Colorado and other states joined together for a mock disaster simulation at the West Metro Fire Training Academy in Lakewood the weekend of April 19-21. At the invitation of the Guard, volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Services team conducted a feeding exercise, providing snacks and water to the military all three days. |
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Mary Jacoby Hastings: Posted on Friday, March 01, 2013 1:06 PM
Tips for Overcoming an Unproductive Week Most people are familiar with the expression, “Thank goodness it’s Friday (TGIF), ”but how many suddenly realize it’s Friday and not everything on that list created Monday was accomplished? That’s me today and it seems on too many weeks. “TGIF” for me becomes “MLOD” translated as “More lost opportunities dummy! This is also the moment of truth when I have to face that touch of self-diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as a self-professed perfectionist at heart. |
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Mary (Jacoby) Hastings: Posted on Friday, March 01, 2013 12:11 PM
Veterans History Project Seeking Vets to Share Their Stories Red Cross Volunteers Recording History By Mary (Jacoby) Hastings “They teach us in basic training, ‘Your job is not to die for your country but it isto make the other person die for his.’” These are the words of Vietnamveteran Russ Gates, one of dozens of local veterans being interviewed by Red Cross volunteers on behalf of the Veterans History Project, a collection of firsthand accounts from battle-tested U.S. |
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Mary Jacoby Hastings: Posted on Friday, October 05, 2012 7:33 PM
Holiday Mail for Heroes is a Great Morale Booster By Mary Jacoby Hastings (Photo courrtesy of the American Red Cross)  Spread holiday cheer to our Armed Forces through theHoliday Mail for Heroesprogram now in progress through December 7, 2012. This annual tradition gives everyone an opportunity to express appreciation to those who have chosen to serve their country at home and abroad. Each year the American Red Cross collects cards between October and early December to distribute at military installations, veterans hospitals, and other locations. |
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Mary Jacoby Hastings: Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2012 5:56 PM
Divisiveness Based on Decidedness Belittling in the Name ofMaking a Point by Mary Jacoby Hastings This General Election year has caused widespread divisiveness because of personal decidedness, pitting friend against friend and causing animosity amongst family members. I have experienced this firsthand and it doesn’t feel good. I kept most of my political opinions to myself as a journalist because mainstream journalists are expected to be neutral and objective. Right? |
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Mary Jacoby Hastings: Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 10:12 AM
Humbled By What I Hear Mangled Limbs, Strong Spirit by Mary Jacoby Hastings Each time I sit down to interview a veteran, I am humbled by the story each has to tell. I am also struck by their humility. Take for instance the wounded warrior that showed me his legs on which he can barely stand because of an IED attack. His injuries extend beyond what can be seen by the naked eye. He no longer wears anything but long pants because the sight of his mangled body scares children and alarms adults. |
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Mary Jacoby Hastings: Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012 10:13 AM
NOTE: This blog did not post as intended in May 2012. I spent a Saturday in May under a canopy enduring frigid, wet weather as a participant in the Community Veterans Coalition Rendezvous at Beaver Ranch in Conifer, CO. While the weather was miserable, it meant a lot to be able to provide information about American Red Cross services to the veterans that did brave the elements to be there. It is particularly touching to hear veterans say "thank you" to the Red Cross for what they do to help the armed forces and their families. |
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Mary Jacoby Hastings: Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012 10:08 AM
A ROMNEY-BIDEN or OBAMA-RYAN WHITE HOUSE? It could happen! If you think your vote doesn’t matter, think again! If there is a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College, which some speculate could happen in this year’s election and if members of the Electoral College remain faithful to the party each pledged, the U.S. House of Representatives would elect the next President and the U.S. Senate would elect the vice-president in January 2013. It happened in the election of 1824 when the House awarded the presidency to John Quincy Adams in January 1825, even though Andrew Jackson had won the most popular votes. |
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