All of my life, I have heard about the Red Cross and how it has helped so many people in need, but I never dealt with the Red Cross directly because I thankfully never experienced a disaster that required me to seek help from the Red Cross. But since the tragedy on September 11th – I have dealt with the Red Cross each and every day since then – and I am amazed at their selfless, tireless – and timely response to such a horrible tragedy.

Who knew that the Red Cross would ever have to respond to a tragedy of such magnitude as the World Trade Center disaster? With thousands of people losing their lives and tens of thousands more displaced from their homes – the Red Cross stepped right in almost immediately and provided food, shelter and clothing to the displaced residents and whoever else needed assistance.

In addition to the benefits they have provided to the families – they have also been right there for the workers at Ground Zero – and for those of us here at the OEM Command Center. Each and every day that I come here, I see Red Cross volunteers serving us food every day like clockwork, providing us with supplies like toothpaste and aspirin – and even counseling some of us while we too try our best to deal with this tragedy.

I don’t think that Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man who invented the Red Cross in 1859 when he came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance, thought that the Red Cross would become what it is today – and what it has become since September 11th. Like Dunant, who saw some forty thousand men lying dead or dying on the battlefield and organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and feed and comfort them – the volunteers of the Red Cross of today saw practically the same thing on September 11th – and made the same effort to help as Dunant did one hundred and forty two years ago.

If there is one thing that I will no longer do from this point on, it is take the Red Cross for granted or not appreciate what they do. So many people have been affected by the attack on America, and the Red Cross has been there for almost all of them. And in the days following the tragedy, the world has hailed the NYPD, FDNY and all of the other workers both here at the Command Center and at Ground Zero for their heroism, resolve – and tireless strength – but I think that some of that praise should go to the unsung heroes of the Red Cross – who have made getting through this a little easier for all of us.

To donate to the Red Cross, call 1-800-HELP-NOW – and to give blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.