JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
For retired Airmen like Ed Smolarsky, the consuming pride and heart that's instilled at Basic Military Training will never falter.
Mr. Smolarsky retired as a senior master sergeant in 1975, and began volunteering with the American Red Cross after retiring again as a Capitol Hill policeman. Today, he selflessly serves nearly every servicemember that comes to Joint Base Andrews wounded, ill or injured.
"He's very dedicated to the American Red Cross and supporting our troops," said Elsie Smolarsky, Mr. Smolarsky's wife of nearly 55 years and fellow American Red Cross volunteer. "He even keeps his hair cut short like them."
Serving as a training instructor for basic military trainees at Sampson Air Force Base, N.Y., he gained a love of the military as well as met his wife.
"Ed loves to volunteer here," said Mrs. Smolarsky. "It really means a lot to him to be able to help these heroes. He loves taking care of the wounded - he says it's like they're his daughters and sons all coming home and he does the best he can to make sure everything and anything they need he has for them."
To keep up with the needs of the hundreds of medically evacuated servicemembers that Mr. Smolarsky almost always personally greets when they first arrive, he has established a very organized filing system in the storage room of the American Red Cross at the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility.
"He runs the inventory for all donated supplies and keeps it very tidy," said Sahazan Christian, American Red Cross chairman for Red Cross volunteers at the Malcolm Grow Medical Center. "There's just so much that he does."
At 75, Mr. Smolarsky may use his own personal funds at times for items the wounded, ill or injured servicemembers may need. He also keeps a stockpile of items in other places such as his home or car in the event that he may need more items on hand for the members.
"He keeps some things in his car that someone might need like sweatpants or glasses," said Mrs. Smolarsky. "He also works five to six days a week setting up and purchasing items, picking up donations or tending to the servicemembers who come into the American Red Cross' Maryland Room at the 779 ASF. In addition to all that, he maintains the room to make sure it is clean and fully stocked."
The ample amount of time and dedication Mr. Smolarsky donates is an incredible gift to servicemembers and their families who may not be able to give them the attention that he is able to so quickly.
"His dedication is above and beyond the call of a volunteer," said Mrs. Christian. "He gives so much of his time on a daily basis.
The hours that he puts in are very incredible since whenever he is needed he is always there at any time of day or night. He is a godsend and I don't know what we would do without him or Mrs. Smolarsky. The Maryland Room wouldn't run without him."
Working with Mr. Smolarsky has a large impact on those around him, including his wife and fellow volunteers.
"Mr. Smolarsky's dedication as an American Red Cross volunteer over the years has been very overwhelming," said Mrs. Christian. "I can't say enough."