
Community involvement is an integral part of the culture here at Independence Blue Cross.
I have the privilege of serving as the executive sponsor for the Blue Crew, our corporate volunteer program that just celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Our Blue Crew volunteers positively impact the greater Philadelphia community every day through their participation in community service projects. In 2015, nearly 1,000 volunteers supported over 50 nonprofits throughout our region.
Volunteers Beautify Medal of Honor Grove Dedicated to American Military Heroes
One project that I was particularly proud to take part in, along with 60 other Blue Crew volunteers, was our recent work at the 52-acre Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
As the oldest Medal of Honor memorial in the United States, the Grove contains 53 obelisks — one for each state to honor our veterans plus obelisks for Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Each of these is adorned with the state seal, a dedication plaque, and a list of Medal of Honor recipients from that state.
How We Honor Our Veterans
In July 2016, the Blue Crew spent a day at the grove, cleaning the state obelisks and beautifying the grounds. This project provided an opportunity for our Blue Crew volunteers to recognize the service and sacrifice of our American military heroes.
As we approach Veterans Day, it is particularly meaningful to reflect once more on our work at the Grove and to honor our veterans for their patriotism, courage, and willingness to defend freedom for all.
Service projects like these demonstrate who we are as an organization — our commitment to community. We live here, we work here, and we are committed to making our community a better place for everyone.