The American Red Cross of Southeast and Deep East Texas was honored to accept a donation from veteran group, the U.S.S. Rich Association in support of Hurricane Harvey disaster response recovery in Orange, Texas.
The U.S.S. Rich is a destroyer class ship with a distinct connection to Orange, Texas. The U.S.S. Rich DD/DDE 820 was built at the Consolidated Steel Works in Orange, Texas in 1945 and commissioned in 1946.
To honor the city that built their ship, former crew members from all over the country, were asked to contribute $8.20 to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The amount is symbolic of the ship’s hull number.
“I remember being in Orange in July 1946, the day the U.S.S. Rich was commissioned,” said Fred Rockwell, original crew member and “Plank Owner” of the U.S.S. Rich. “I had recently joined the Navy and wherever I went, people were welcoming, kind and generous. I am so happy, in a small way, our association is able to help the folks of Orange.”
Skylar Thompson, American Red Cross of Southeast Deep East board member, and Chester Jourdan, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southeast and Deep East Texas accepted the donation from U.S.S. Rich Association leadership, Don Hogg, Johnny Skillen and Rowland Priddy.
To learn more about Red Cross relief and recovery efforts or to volunteer or make a financial gift, visit www.redcross.org.
Texas Gulf Coast American Red Cross 