758 State Papers and Addresses

BALTIMORE BLOOD DONOR SERVICE ARMY-NAVY "E" AWARD

October 3, 1942
Baltimore

I am especially happy to be here today to take part in the ceremonies
awarding the Army-Navy "E" to the Blood Donor Service of the Baltimore
Chapter of the American Red Cross, not so much as the Governor of the State,
but as one of the 39, 165 proud Marylanders who have made this award possible
by contributing their blood towards the National reserve to provide transfusions
for our fighting forces.

When a factory does an exceptional production job, turning out guns or
tanks or planes for our fighting men, the Government says, "Thank you" to
both management and labor by presenting them the coveted "E" award.

The Red Cross is not in the business of producing tools of war. Their
obligation to humanity is to preserve life. And one of the ways they are help-
ing to protect the lives of our young men out on the battlefields is to provide
death-preventing plasma for emergency transfusions.

This afternoon, every Red Cross worker and every man and woman who
has contributed blood is justifiably proud that the Blood Donor Service is to
receive the Army-Navy "E. "

In taking to heart, however, well-deserved congratulations for the work
already done, let us pedge ourseves to far greater efforts in the future. For
unless we do, and unless Maryland and the other states continue to pile up
reserve supplies for coming casualties, we shall not be doing our part here at
home with regard to the valiant young men who are going forth risking their
lives for us.

It should be accepted as a patriotic responsibility by every healthy Amer-
ican man and woman who remains safely here at home, while our boys go forth
to battle, to go at least once to the Blood Donor Service and to offer their little
sacrifice for the men who are giving so much.

When this war comes to Glorious Victory—as it must, if freedom is to
survive throughout the world—it will be a satisfying thought to know that in
the matter of blood donations as well as in other channels, each one of us has
done his share. And to fail to do our share today, in this all-out war, is to fail,
indeed, in one's duties and responsibilities as a citizen of this great Country.