Welcome To Rescue America
Allow me to begin by introducing you to the core principles that drive our organization, Rescue America. In 2022, our beloved father, Herbert Reitsam, affectionately known as Herb, passed away. He dedicated his entire life to the cause of promoting the sanctity of life. When I say he was a pro-life activist, I mean he was a truly committed pro-life activist. Herb immersed himself in every facet of the pro-life movement, participating in marches, protests, fundraising events, spreading the teachings of God, and even serving as an executive producer for a pro-life film!
One of my earliest recollections of his activism dates back to the late 1970s. I remember my father being absent for a week, so I inquired with my mother about his whereabouts. She informed me that he was away for work. Now, I knew very well that my dad worked as an electrician in a paper factory, and he never had to travel for work. It was only years later that I discovered he had been incarcerated. He had been arrested during a pro-life demonstration for physically obstructing access to an abortion clinic in Los Angeles. Standing at an imposing 6’4″ and weighing 240 pounds, he stood his ground to protect the unborn. The judge presented my father with two choices: apologize and pay a minor fine or spend a week behind bars. Needless to say, you can guess which option he chose.
In subsequent years, I would inquire about this incident and others similar to it. Every time, my father would reveal that during his time in custody, he utilized it as an opportunity to share the word of God and express his beliefs on abortion. He was remarkably adept at persuading fellow inmates to adopt his perspective. This gift of his left an indelible mark on those he encountered throughout his time on Earth. Following my father’s passing, my siblings, my brother, my sister, and I, who were all steadfast supporters of the right-to-life movement, concluded that establishing Rescue America would be a fitting tribute to his memory. We have been blessed with abundant fortune in our lives, and while we have consistently contributed our resources and time to pro-life causes, we recognized that there was more we could do to make a difference.