[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14247]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING MELISSA SEIBERT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES B. RENACCI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Melissa Seibert, of 
the Stark County Chapter of the American Red Cross, for receiving the 
Ohio Commendation Medal. This is the highest Ohio military honor and is 
awarded to only a few distinguished persons each year. It is presented 
to each person who, while a member of the state military forces, 
distinguishes himself/herself while serving in any military capacity by 
meritorious achievement and in an outstanding manner.
  Melissa Seibert began her work with the Red Cross in 1999, where she 
started as a First Aid and Disaster Action Team volunteer. Shortly 
after, she was asked to be the Health and Safety Instructor; leading to 
a promotion to a position in the Health and Safety Services Department. 
In 2004, Melissa became the Assistant Director of Emergency Services, 
and in 2008 was challenged with the opportunity to develop a new 
Military Outreach program.
  The development of the Military Outreach Program has become a vital 
part of the military community in the Stark County area. Melissa's 
passion and dedication has taken the program to great heights, 
providing military families in the community with much-needed support, 
resources and strength. She provides support for military personnel 
during times of deployment and organizes many ``Welcome Home'' and 
``Send Offs'' for the military men, women and family members. Melissa 
is the foundation of the ``Military Family Connection'' support group, 
where family members of service personnel meet to support each other 
and gain valuable information on many local resources. She also hosts 
quarterly ``Psychological First Aid'' programs for local families 
dealing with the stress and emotions that come with the deployment of a 
loved one.
  Ms. Seibert has successfully networked with countless military groups 
and associations in the community; strengthening the common bonds that 
tie these families together. She works closely with Blue Star Mothers, 
USO, the Regional Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee and the 
Gold Star Mothers. In addition, Melissa participates on the board for 
the Stark County Safe Kids and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
FEMA.
  Since the inception of the Military Outreach Program, Melissa Seibert 
has helped over 5,000 individuals. True to her nature, she is now 
helping start similar outreach programs in the Ohio Red Cross chapters 
of Alliance and Muskingum Lakes. Recognized by her peers, she will soon 
be seeing her ideas applied nationally as her program is cloned in 
communities across our land. Melissa thoroughly enjoys working with 
Military Services and says, ``It's not a job, it's a calling. A job is 
doing something because you are required to do it. A calling is doing 
something because you are passionate about it.''
  Ms. Seibert's dedication to Ohio military personnel and their 
families has warranted this prestigious award. Her selfless endeavors 
and meaningful contributions remind us of what can be accomplished when 
we give of ourselves for the benefit of others.

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