Wear red on Fridays in December to honor deployed service members

Applies to: Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine

Penn State Health encourages employees to wear red on Fridays in December to honor and support military service members who are deployed overseas.

This year marks the first time Penn State Health is participating in the Wear R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) initiative. The practice of wearing red on Fridays began as a grassroots effort to show solidarity with deployed service members. Over two decades, the movement has gained traction among military families, veterans and civilians alike.

“R.E.D. – Remember Everyone Deployed – is more than a red shirt or a hashtag. It’s a quiet promise that our service members and their families are seen while they carry the weight of freedom far from home,” says Scott Wagonblott, a senior cyber policy planner and member of the Military/Veteran Business Employee Resource Group. “Especially at this time of year, when empty chairs at the table are felt the most, R.E.D. tells them: ‘You are not forgotten. We notice your sacrifice, we honor your courage, and we stand beside your family until you come safely home.’”

Share photos of your red attire on social media and tag @pennstatehershey on Instagram, Penn State Health or Penn State College of Medicine on Facebook, PennStHershey on X, or Penn State Health or Penn State College of Medicine on LinkedIn.

For more opportunities to honor service members:

• Visit Flickr. Penn State Health honors those who have served through highlights on the health system’s Flickr page. If you or a colleague were not featured and would like to be included in future updates, please email jmccrea1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
• Military/Veteran Business Employee Resource Group. Workforce members who have served in the military or who support those who have served can join the Military/Veteran Business Employee Resource Group here.
• Connect employees and patients who served. The Veteran-to-Veteran program, now in its pilot phase at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, offers veteran patients and their family members a chance to be visited by an employee who also served in the military. Connecting patients and staff who share military experience can help improve communication and care. Learn more.
• Learn about ongoing initiatives. Visit Penn State Health’s Veterans webpage for more ways to support military and veteran employees and the community.

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