Red Cross Worker Dedicates Holiday to Helping U.S. Military

Written by Mason Booth, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

December 24, 2002 — As holiday decorations popped up across her hometown of Battle Creek, Mich., Elizabeth Schirk packed her bags and prepared to catch a flight. Unlike thousands of other Americans, however, Schirk wasn’t traveling to visit relatives. The American Red Cross staffer was leaving for Urosevac, Kosovo, where she and four others working for the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) would spend the holidays away from their families to support the nation’s military serving at Camp Bondsteel.

Click here to read a holiday letter from Elizabeth Schirk and Team 11, Kosovo.

Throughout the flight, the group struggled with thoughts of their loved ones they left back home but any sadness was quickly overcome by the team’s pride and purpose. Like dozens of other Red Cross volunteers providing services to the U.S. military in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kosovo and Afghanistan, Schirk’s group understood that the needs of troops overseas never stop, not even for the holidays.

When the group arrived at Camp Bondsteel, any lingering regret of being away from their families vanished in of the warm embrace of the military community.

“This Christmas I am away from home, but I’m with my larger military family. I love being with the military on deployments -- they are such special people. Seeing them in action and hearing their stories always makes me feel so proud to be with them,” Schirk said.

Soldiers helped decorate the American Red Cross office in Camp Bondsteel to create a holiday home away from home.

For over a century, the American Red Cross has worked closely with American military personnel. Today, through its Armed Forces Emergency Services, the Red Cross helps members of the armed services and their families stay in contact. The organization's communications services allow military members stationed all over the world to send messages to loved ones back home during an emergency, such as the birth of a child or death of a loved one. These communications are delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The duties of the dedicated volunteers aren’t lost on the soldiers they support. When asked how the service men and women react to the Red Cross presence, Schirk enthusiastically replied, “They love it, and tell us that all the time. That is what makes it all worth while. Recently, while being saluted, I have people call out, ‘Red Cross, you rock!’, ‘Red Cross, you're awesome!', and my favorite ‘Red Cross leads the way!’”

Schirk’s sense of volunteerism has even been passed on to her own immediate family. Her daughter, also named Elizabeth, currently is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, where she will support those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Elizabeth’s step is one that not only makes her mother swell with pride, but is also a tribute to the example set by her mother’s true humanitarian spirit.

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