Not nearly all the sick and crippled are on the battlefield, nor is all the danger there. Clara Barton.
Peace has her battlefields, no less than war. Clara Barton.
Day by day men and women are being maimed and killed in our great industrial struggle, and in the rush and hurry of our strenuous life. It is in the mitigation of the horrors of this strife, and of this struggle, that the First Aid Department of the Red Cross is to find its mission and its work. E. Howe, Superintendent of the First Aid Department, American National Red Cross (December 8, 1903).
The mission of the First Aid (National First Aid Association of America) is to preserve the name of Clara Barton all over the country. The work she accomplished during the Civil War placed her at the head of the women of the country at that time, and her name should stand forever before the American people. We all know how England is reverencing the name of Florence Nightingale, and it is for America to preserve the name of her Florence Nightingale in Clara Barton whose efforts have been so world-wide as to place her at the head of woman’s work for humanity throughout the world. Mrs. J. Sewall Reed, first Acting President, National First Aid Association of America (in address to 9th annual meeting of the association held May 7, 1914).
The work of the National First Aid Association of America, which was founded by the noble Clara Barton, continues to “Carry On” in the philanthropic spirit which it has inherited from her. The association is practically a college for National First Aid work, offering one course of lectures, one textbook, one examination in kind, for all to follow. The handsome diploma which is only granted to students attaining 80 per cent., or over, upon a thorough examination is the prized possession of thousands of graduates all over the United States, Alaska, Panama, Canada and England. Thus do we honor our president, Clara Barton, in death—world honored as she was in life for her achievements for suffering humanity; for upon each diploma the association has placed these words—“Clara Barton, Founder and President.” Roscoe Green Wells, present Acting President, National First Aid Association of America. October 15, 1921.
Clara Barton was a world worker for suffering humanity, and our first president. As a perpetual tribute to her memory the National First Aid Association of America has established her name as “President—In Memoriam.” Clara Barton has passed on, but the noble spirit which lived within her continues to live in her last great national endeavor. Mary Kensel Wells, Secretary of the National First Aid Association of America. October 16, 1921.
The First Aid will become time-honored in America, for it has come to stay. Its character is broad and firm, its title clear; and although young its organization is complete. It has its own characteristics, in keeping with its motives,—neither ambition, self-seeking, nor vain-glory, but good-will, helpfulness, kindliness, the spirit of Him who gave his life for others, whose example we seek to follow, and whose blessed birth was God’s great Christmas gift to the world. Clara Barton (Christmas, 1905), President, the National First Aid Association of America.
GREETINGS
To the Friends of these, and other, days:
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Ay! Many New Years, each happier than the last.