By David Guth

Paul James McCann, a World War II veteran from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, has lived a life of honorable service. And through his recent financial gifts to the American Red Cross, McCann has ensured that service will be his legacy.

McCann, now 101 years old, was in college when he was called into the Navy in 1944. He was stationed in Hawaii, where he oversaw ordnance loading onto ships out of Pearl Harbor. Looking back, McCann says his military service instilled in him a poise that he’s drawn from the rest of his life.

“To be given assignments like that, to do out of the blue [something] that you’ve never done as a young man, and here you're now in charge of a high-explosion division or something like that, where it gave you confidence that you could do things that was asked of you that you may not have done otherwise,” he said.

After the war, McCann entered the Naval Reserves, where he served 12 years before retiring as a first lieutenant. McCann went to work as a petroleum engineer for the Phillips 66 Company in Kansas City and Bartlesville. Having wisely invested his money through the years, McCann says he decided to make a significant donation to an organization that has a direct impact on people in need. His choice: The American Red Cross.

“I felt like the Red Cross was a very worthy organization,” McCann said. “I know that when somebody has a fire or something like that, the Red Cross is there.”

The American Red Cross responds to an average of 65,000 disasters, from housefires to major hurricanes, every year. To put it another way, the Red Cross responds to an emergency every eight minutes. The mission of the Red Cross is to meet the immediate needs of individuals, families and communities affected by disasters.

“We are deeply grateful to Paul for turning his compassion into action and supporting the Red Cross. His gifts will help so many people when they need it the most,” said Regional Philanthropy Officer Tara Burnett. “He is a truly generous soul, and it has been such a joy getting to know him.”

Burnett has visited McCann several times at the senior living center he calls home. Her first visit came after McCann gave $100,000 to the Red Cross in the wake of tornadoes that hit Oklahoma hard in the spring. Burnett presented him with a challenge coin to commemorate his gift, and as they stood for photos together, the staff thanked McCann and his fellow residents applauded.

On a recent visit, Burnett brought with her a Red Cross volunteer and field staff from U.S. Sen. James Lankford’s office to interview McCann for the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. His story of military service will be preserved for future generations to hear.

McCann recently decided to give another $250,000 to the Red Cross.

“I haven’t been through a disaster myself. I hope I’m old enough now, so I don’t think I’ll go through one,” McCann said. “I just think of by those hit by a disaster, how much appreciated the Red Cross is for people in need.”

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.