American Red Cross Workers Serve Alongside Our Military

Written by Deborah Griffith MacSwain, Special to RedCross.org

Dec. 17, 2002 — When U.S. troops are deployed overseas, the American Red Cross goes with them, sending ordinary men and women who provide extra-ordinary support to the men and women of the armed forces. Red Cross workers accompany service members around the world on peacekeeping missions, training exercises and combat missions.

Red Cross workers George Blackwell (l), Tyrone Whitaker and Vera Kellar (rt) at the U.S. military base in Bagram, Afghanistan.

What is it like leaving loved ones behind to wear the military uniform with the Red Cross insignia? It’s one of the most exhilarating, lonesome, satisfying, terrifying and overwhelming experiences of a lifetime.

Just like the military, Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services mobile staff must be ready to report to duty on a moment’s notice — getting shots, a mouth panoramic for identification purposes, gas mask training, determining how to pack for the four to six month tour (taking only two duffel bags and a rucksack), and of course, preparing families for the separation.

The primary mission of the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services is to relay messages between families and service members in times of celebration and of loss — good news about the arrival of a baby, a serious illness in the family or the death of a loved one. The Red Cross verifies and speeds more than a million messages a year across thousands of miles to U.S. service members separated from their families. Many times, the verified Red Cross message is the determining factor for granting emergency leave.

Unofficially, Red Cross workers also become friendly listeners. “The American Red Cross is appreciated,” said Carolyn Seldon, senior associate for Deployments, who has served on several Red Cross operations. “They talk to us about home because to them we represent home,” she added.

A sense of fun is important on a deployment. Anyone who has served in or with the military knows that humor can go a long way in easing tension in the field. Hurrying up and waiting just to use a wash bucket to clean up, bunking with other people, using barrels as latrines, diving into bunkers, working around-the-clock, checking boots and clothes for venomous snakes and insects, taking malaria pills and eating melted Jell-O without a spoon evokes a smile, but only after returning to home and hot showers. Until then, Red Cross workers provide games and organize parties and other activities that bring a smile to the camp.

Red Cross workers live and work alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, in Kosovo for Task Force Falcon and Operation Joint Guardian, in Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch and in Kuwait supporting Intrinsic Action.

The Red Cross also provides access to financial assistance for military families in crisis, as well as a confidential environment in which service men and women can receive counseling, referrals and other social services. Last year, the Red Cross assisted 475,690 military families. To find out more about American Red Cross services to military members and their families please contact your local Red Cross chapter.