MEDIA ADVISORY: FIRST AMERICAN RED CROSS TEAM RETURNS FROM OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM DEPLOYMENT

Workers share experiences from 133 days of bringing a “touch of home” to the frontlines

WASHINGTON, Friday, April 25, 2003 — Michelle Bailey and Deanna Young are the first members of the American Red Cross team to return to the United States and will be discussing their 133-day tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including: the harsh conditions, donning chemical suits and minutes that seem like hours in the bunkers, the appreciation of the military and why they put their lives on the line to bring a “touch of home” to the frontlines.

American Red Cross staff mobilize and deploy overseas with members of the military. They live and work along side the service members, ensuring that urgent news of death/illness and births from back home is received 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There are currently 33 American Red Cross workers deployed to the Persian Gulf Region. The first team supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom arrived in Kuwait on January 25, 2003 when they joined three workers already on the ground.

As part of its congressional charter, the American Red Cross is “a medium of communication between the people of the United States and the Armed Forces of the United States.” In addition to responding to disasters, overseeing more than half of the nation’s blood supply and providing first aid and CPR training, keeping the American people connected with their loved ones serving in the U.S. military is a fundamental mission of the American Red Cross.

WHO:
Michelle Bailey and Deanna Young, members of the American Red Cross team deployed to Kuwait in support of military members assigned to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bailey and Young will be at American Red Cross national headquarters for a daylong debriefing before heading home for a 30 day break and back to their home posts in Germany.

WHAT:
As civilians with jobs that take them to the frontlines of war, Bailey and Young will be discussing their experiences during the 133 days in the Persian Gulf region in support of the service members assigned to Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of their report's can be found at http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_332_870,00.html

WHERE:
American Red Cross Headquarters At Jefferson Park
The Williams Room, Second Floor
8111 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, Virginia

WHEN:
Monday, April 28
11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET
Members of the media should contact Stacey Grissom or Courtney Prebitch (above) for directions and building access.