The Lebanese Red Cross means the world to Bambi.
Her mom had been a trained Red Cross nurse who worked with oncology patients for several years.
As for Bambi, as a teenager, she had been a Lebanese Red Cross volunteer for four years during civil war up until she migrated to Canada in 1990.
Lebanese Red cross volunteers have transported her late parents from and to hospitals several times. She saw these paramedics in action once during one of her last visits to her birth country.
Bearing the above in mind, and given all the sacrifices of the devoted Lebanese Red Cross volunteers at all times, especially during wars, it is both heart-breaking and alarming to read about consecutive strikes killing Red Cross paramedics (https://tinyurl.com/yb5zj6cu).
Indeed, may the soul of Mr. Hassan Badawi rest in peace in his temporary grave (his village being too dangerous now). May his memory be eternal. Same for the soul and memory of Mr. Youssef Assaf, another Lebanese Red Cross volunteer paramedic who lost his life in the line of duty in March 2026. May God know how to comfort the aching hearts of their families and peers.
MANY thanks to the Lebanese Red Cross members for their sacrifices while freely transporting injured people to hospital emergencies, dead bodies to the morgues, and helping people evacuate, as needed. Bravo for their BEAUTIFUL principles of “humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality“. Your humanity, professionalism, and compassion make your Lebanon and our world a more loving place. May God protect you in your service.
Enough of senseless deaths. May war end soon. May peace prevail.
IN MY MISPENT YOUTH …. IN ORDER TO ” DRINK ” …… BEFORE I WAS 18 IN HAMILTON
ONT. I WOULD ( ON VERY BUSY NIGHTS ) BLEND IN AT THE R.H.L.I. 4th BATTALION LEGION ,
FONDLY KNOWN AS ” THE MAD 4th ” FOR THEIR BRAVE ASSAULTS IN WW2 . THE ” TRICK ”
WAS TO SPEND FREELY EARLY ON ….. AND WAITERS QUICKLY ” IMAGE ” YOU AS THE ” GOOD
TIPPER ” , A REVENUE SOURCE .. NOT A GUY ALMOST 4 YRS UNDER AGE , DOES NOT MAKE
TROUBLE, OR START FIGHTS .
THE WAR STORIES WERE GREAT & FUN … SOMETIMES TRAGIC AND HEARTBREAKING .
BUT … TO A MAN ….. I NEVER MET A VETERAN WHO DID NOT SPEAK WITH WARMTH AND
GRATITUDE OF THE RED CROSS . EVERY TRAIN & BUS STATION , ARMORY , BOAT DOCK , AND
PLACE YOU FOUND ALLIED FORCES ….. THE RED CROSS PRESENCE WAS WITNESSED … WITH
A MINIMUM OF HOT BEVERAGES , SCONES , OR PASTRIES AT THE VERY LEAST , A SMILE AND
KIND TREATMENT FOR ALL SERVICE MEN & WOMEN .
AND SO MY FRIEND BAMBI ….. YOUR REMINDER TO US ALL OF THIS NOBLE GROUP
AND THEIR CHEERFUL PRESENCE IN WAR ZONES AND DISASTER SITES IS KNOWN THE WORLD
OVER IN SOME FORM OR ANOTHER SINCE THE 1800’s IN CANADA BEFORE WW1 .
TO ALL WHO READ THIS ….. PLEASE … GIVE , WHEN ABLE , FOR GOOD WORKS . Russ
Many thanks Russ for sharing those moving memories with Bambi and her readers. You did so well, by encouraging support. If anyone wants to give a donation directly to the Lebanese Red Cross, here is the link: https://www.redcross.org.lb/ or via our Canadian Red Cross, which collaborates with the Lebanese Red Cross:
https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/international-cooperation/where-we-work/middle-east-and-north-africa/lebanon
Thank you to both!