A trio of Hawai‘i-based veterans bring larger meaning to the concept of duty to country and community.
American Red Cross on this Veterans Day honors U.S. Navy veteran Rodney Boucher along with U.S. Army vets Mara Eck and Jasmine Ricks.
Their military and professional backgrounds are quite diverse, but all were led to volunteer with the nonprofit.
Each embodies the Red Cross spirit, constantly striving to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
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RODNEY BOUCHER
Rodney Boucher traces his 40 years of involvement with the Red Cross to help he received decades ago.
“I was stationed in Virginia, and the Red Cross helped me get back to Illinois for a family emergency,” said Boucher. “Ever since then, I’ve been trying to give back.”
His 24 years of naval service took him around the world, working communications, electronics and support for U.S. Navy SEALS, where he accumulated 89 parachute jumps. Boucher ultimately ended up in logistics, an area where he applies his experience and skills for the Red Cross.
He reflects on two things when asked what the Red Cross gave back to him.
“No. 1, it has helped me with my family in emergencies in different locations throughout the United States,” Boucher said. “Two, it’s helped me help others.”
Working with the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces team and as senior vice commander for Hawai‘i Veterans of Foreign Wars, he volunteered to help veterans — often simply by spending time talking with them — at two military medical facilities.
His motto: “Consider helping others.”
“Veterans pay it forward. That goes for the Red Cross and everything else I do for veterans,” Boucher said. “If you’re a veteran, you can help others. If you’re in a community, you can help others. There’s a volunteer position available to anyone and everyone.”
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MARA ECK
Mara Eck turned her love for man’s best friend into a vital role as a volunteer with the Red Cross Pacific Islands Region, supporting servicemembers through the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program.
Eck served 31 years in the U.S. Army, retiring 4 years ago and quickly realizing she needed to do something to fill her now-ample-free-time.
Her black poodle Makana “has long hair in the front and she’s a diva,” Eck said. She is “just beautiful and she wears very fancy collars.” Makana has about 100 collars and allows Eck to coordinate her outfits.
People love to stop and stare at her standard-sized poodle.
“If people have a sweet, kind, gentle dog and if they have time to volunteer and give back to the military community, consider joining the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program,” Eck said.
She suggests getting your dog certified as a therapy animal, allowing canines and their humans to give back with what she calls “one of the most amazing programs.”
Eck also shares Makana’s love and affection through another program called the Human Animal Bond, designed specifically for Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. It is an extension of the Animal Visitation Program.
She noticed the love she and Makana receive in return since her poodle became a certified therapy dog.
“She provides so much love, care and comfort; all those wonderful things to people all over,” Eck said. “She loves kids and people in hospitals, just everyone.”
The opportunity to work with veterans and military installations was top of her list. She is comfortable in military settings, and this is a way to give back.
“These are my people,” Eck said.
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JASMINE RICKS
Volunteering for the Red Cross is special in Jasmine Ricks’ mind. It’s a great way to maintain connections with military members and their families.
“It brings me a lot of joy,” said the 12-year U.S. Army veteran.
Ricks has volunteered nearly 10 years; since 2023 in the Pacific Islands Region. She started volunteering while stationed in Virginia and began working with the Service to the Armed Forces team when she retired, discovering a new calling through her volunteer work.
“I recently graduated with my master’s degree in social work, and my volunteer work with the Red Cross is what led me to decide I wanted to become a social worker,” she said.
Ricks has had different positions as a part of the Service to the Armed Forces team.
Her main position is events coordinator. She frequently helps with veterans food drives and at military hospital community living centers. Ricks also volunteers for garden cleanups, holiday parties and barbeques.
“Being a military member myself and knowing all the stressors folks in the service face, knowing the Red Cross is there to support them and their families, is what I get out of volunteering,” Ricks said.
She sees her Red Cross service as a great opportunity to serve the community, meet people and build on lifelong friendships.
There are so many positions in the Red Cross for anyone thinking about volunteering can find a role that suits them.
Her message this Veterans Day: “just a simple thank you to all veterans and everyone who’s ever served. Just a simple thank you.”
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Visit the Red Cross website or follow the nonprofit on social media for additional information.
