December 10, 2023

On October 23, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region put Service to the Armed Forces program specialist Aspyn Adams on a plane bound for the Middle East. Her return ticket is not valid until April 2024. For the next six months, Adams will bring essential support to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. 

The American Red Cross has a 125-year history supporting U.S. troops, dating back to the Spanish-American War when founder Clara Barton sent aid to medical camps in Florida and Cuba. Since, the Red Cross has served side by side with the nation’s military, handling emergency messages, distributing comfort kits, quality of life items and canteen services. 

Having served with the Peace Corp for 10 months in K'alak'i T'bilisi, Georgia, Adams is no stranger to international deployments. While in Iraq, Adams’ main duty will focus on emergency communications — connecting active-duty service members with their family when there is an emergency at home, which includes supporting civilians employed by or under contract to the Department of Defense stationed outside the Continental U.S. 

For more information on how to reach your overseas, active-duty family member when there is an emergency at home, visit redcross.org/LA or contact the Hero Care Center: 1-877-272-7337 to speak with Red Cross Emergency Communications. You can also download the free Hero Care App to your smartphone. The Hero Care App provides access to vital emergency and non-emergency resources for military members, veterans, and military families.  

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.