Master Sgt. Richard Tibbetts

The only thing Master Sgt. Richard W. Tibbets has been doing longer than serving the Marine Corps is serving the Red Cross. The 22-year Marine veteran has been a Red Cross volunteer since age 15.

When Hurricane Charlie swept through his home state of Florida in September, Tibbets requested 21 days of leave to volunteer as an emergency response vehicle coordinator in Bradenton, Fla. He helped provide over 200,000 meals and 600,000 comfort kits to people in need before returning to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

His return was short-lived. Another hurricane hit the Southeast the day after his return and Tibbets was out the door, this time to Andalusia, Ala., and Auburndale, Fla., where he led 25 volunteers in their relief efforts.