|
Myths & Legends About
the Red Cross
I.
Famous Red Cross doughnut sales during World War II
A.
World War II ended almost 50 years ago but Dear Abby or Dear Ann Landers
continue to mention in their columns complaints from people who remember or have
heard about the awful things the Red Cross did during the war.
1.
The most nefarious: the selling of doughnuts, coffee, and other
refreshments to soldiers in the so called “rear areas” (behind the front
lines).
2.
This was upsetting to soldiers because the Red Cross has traditionally
dispensed such items for free.
B.
The truth is that Red Cross officials and volunteers were just as upset
about the sales as were the soldiers. The Red Cross was ordered to sell the
refreshments rather than give them away as planned by Secretary of War Henry
Stimson in 1942. Noting that American soldiers in Europe had more money than
their Allied counterparts, Stimson feared that morale among the Allied troops
was suffering. American soldier received refreshments free; Allied soldiers had
to pay for them. To make living conditions more even, in the hopes of improving
morale, Stimson ordered the Red Cross to charge for refreshments in the “rear
area.” Mobile units that served at the front lines were exempted from the
order and did not charge.
C.
Although the incident occurred 50 years ago, many soldiers and their
families continue to believe that the Red Cross used the war as a moneymaking
opportunity. Nothing could be further from the truth.
II.
Myths about World War II
A.
The Red Cross sold cigarettes, blankets, and other “comfort” items
during WWII. The truth: if cigarettes or other such items that
were designated as “free” were sold, it was illegal and in violation of Red
Cross policy. It is believed that a few unscrupulous people did sell those items
provided by the Red Cross, but it was for personal gain, not to help the Red
Cross. In addition, Red Cross could not control items given to a
serviceman then sold by the service member to others.
B.
The Red Cross sold blood during the war. The truth: The
American Red Cross collected more than 13 million pints of blood for use in the
was effort at home and abroad, but “administered” no blood to the wounded
anywhere in the world. Neither did it ever charge anyone for blood. Once the
blood was turned over to military or civilian hospitals, it was out of Red Cross
control.
C.
The Red Cross indiscriminately refused to provide travel funds for some
service men during the war. The truth: Travel funds for service
personnel were routinely provided when the commanding officer of an
individual’s unit authorized emergency leave orderes. The Red Cross also
authorized pre-embarkation and post-embarkation furloughs, but the cost became
so great as troop strength increased, that these ordinary leave loans had to be
discontinued in 1944 as they interfered with other more essential military
services. A total of $2.5 million loans were made during the war.
Today, as always, military
commanders make decisions about emergency leaves. Red Cross provides verified
information about the family or home situation prompting the emergency.
III.
Other Myths that damage the Red Cross.
A.
The Red Cross gets money from the U.S. Government and therefore cannot be
independent.
1.The
International Red Cross was founded on seven principles,
three of which are;
a.
Impartiality- does not discriminate concerning nationality, race,
religion, class, or political opinion.
b.
Neutrality- Red Cross does not take sides in hostilities, politics or
religious issues.
c.
Independence- All national societies are independent of their nation’s
government so societies can act in accordance with Red Cross principles. The
American Red Cross for example derives its operating income from the charity of
the American people and is not funded by the federal government. Like many
charitable organizations, the Red Cross does seek and accept government grants
for special projects and service. Examples: State and Federal contracts to
people who face eviction or utility shut offs; some chapters have HIV/AIDS
education contracts or run transportation programs with government grants.
B The Red Cross headquarters in
Washington D.C. is a palace.
1.The headquarters is made
up of three buildings in Washington, not
far from the White House. The buildings are on ground granted by
the
U.S. government.
a.
Two of the buildings are ornate war memorials built with philanthropic
endowments, not with regular Red Cross funds. One building is dedicated to the
women who tended the sick and wounded on both sides of the Civil War; the other
is dedicated to women who served in World War I.
b.
The third building had to be erected when the Red Cross outgrew the other
two. It is a typical, plain office building.
| 
