Over the Veteran’s Day weekend I got to visit the ARCNHQ in Washington, D.C for National Youth Council meetings. What an experience!
Leading into the building on 17th Street were white marble steps and I was greeted by large white columns. Very White House-esque, and the White House itself was only blocks away! The building dedicated in 1917 “to the concept of Mercy – in memory of the Heroic Women of the Civil War.”
There were several highlights of this building:
*Learning the history of the building from a Presidential Intern from Slovakia.
*Seeing (and touching) the infamous Tiffany stain-glass windows
*Finding hidden Red Crosses throughout the building (in the elevators, staircase handrails)
In addition to the building on 17th Street, we also had meetings at the building on E Street; the 5-story building was really interesting. Outside was a giant white blockade with a cut-out of the cross and the Red Cross was seen behind it. Another photo opportunity. Inside, from the 4th floor, you can look down and see on the main level the 7 Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement engraved on the floor. During a break from meetings, I found myself in the DOC, Disaster Operation Center; this is where it all happens when there is a major disaster. The location where they operate 24/7 and have an entire area for teleconferencing to the people on the field. One wall lined with clocks, telling the time at every time zone. This was a pretty cool room.
I did have a lot of meetings, but being at the main hub of the Red Cross really energized me. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could visit every Red Cross hub, chapter, and operation center all over the world?
I’ve only just begun…
Anna Gail Caunca, California
Filed under: National Headquarters
