By Martin Gagliano

Stationed in a remote location in Poland with little access to supplies like hygiene items -much less supplies for hosting special events – American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces staff member, Aerial Chen, was tasked with boosting morale, securing emergency communications and providing essential humanitarian aid to U.S. soldiers.

Her six-month deployment through January 2025 on a U.S. military base in Europe was a unique blend of challenges and rewards. The remoteness brought difficulties but also an opportunity to connect with the service members in a very particular way. “I’m sharing the same lifestyle, staying in the same containerized housing, eating the same food at the dining facilities and using the same amenities. That gives me numerous opportunities for bonding,” she explained.

Saving Lives on Christmas During a Hotline Shift
Connection was key since Aerial was the only Red Cross staff member on site. While members leaned on her to bring a sense of home and normalness, this also meant Aerial managed challenging situations involving people around her. “On Christmas Day, I was actually on a 12-hour shift for emergency messaging. It was memorable because, unfortunately, there were two suicide prevention activity cases. It was very stressful; our role was to work with the command to secure the service member and make sure that they get taken care of. Luckily, in both cases, they were secured. I think it’s important to remember that the holiday season can be a tough time for everybody, but in particular for military members who are away from home. It’s important to check up on them. With these types of cases, everyone is grateful to the Red Cross and the service we provide. It’s very valuable for the families and the military members; they know we are there in case they need to reach out and ask for help.”

It’s All About Teamwork
Though Aerial was the only Red Cross staff member, she was not alone; to carry on with our humanitarian mission, she counted on an amazing crew of volunteers, all of them service members. “Many pass by the Red Cross office because it’s conveniently located in a high foot traffic area, and it’s also a comfortable place for them to stay. Here they can have a soda, watch Netflix or relax from their stressful job,” she stated. “And while they visit us, most become curious about volunteer work on the base, asking how they can help others.” According to Aerial, their main motivations to sign up and volunteer were boredom, a desire to give back to their fellow soldiers or earning promotion points. In all cases, they were incredible volunteers!

Bingo, Loteria and Guacamole for The Win!
One of the top morale events Aerial and her volunteers managed was Bingo Night. It became incredibly popular at the base, with over 30 service members participating. “I never realized how popular it was until I got here. I think it’s just a fun way for them to de-stress, it’s very straightforward and it just requires some concentration to match different words and numbers. And they get to win cool prizes. So, bingo is always a prolific and really fun activity,” Aerial says. A special Mexican bingo event on Mexican Independence Day, complete with guacamole, was a hit, especially among Latino soldiers.

Experiencing History
“In a military unit, the Mayor Cell is similar to the mayor of a city. They oversee the infrastructure, amenities, water, electricity and everything that makes life possible on the military base. In this particular location, the Mayor Cell works intimately with the Polish authorities, cooperating to make sure we have all those basic things taken care of and everything runs smoothly. I had the chance to meet with the Mayor Cell as a Red Cross representative and we did an educational trip to a nearby concentration camp, Stutthof. It was a sobering yet important experience. I’ve learned that this site was one of the first concentration camps established. It provided a chance to bond with an important partner of the Red Cross and learn about Poland’s history during World War II,” she fondly remembered.

Going Back Home but Keeping the Connections Alive
“If I had the opportunity to do the deployment again, I would. It’s been a meaningful and positive experience,” Aerial stated. This journey made her “feel like a new person” and now she has a better understanding of military culture. “And because of that, I feel better equipped to provide more nuanced assistance to military members and their families back in our region.”

Aerial’s connection with the Red Cross mission has also deepened significantly during this deployment. In California, she was able to separate her professional and personal life In Poland, the lines blurred as she interacted with soldiers who were both her clients and volunteers, developing close relationships.  “This situation can be overwhelming but at the same time allows me to understand their challenges and joys. Since one of my goals is to raise their morale, having a more detailed perspective on how to alleviate their hardships is very helpful,” she explained. Talking about friends and new connections, she plans to stay in touch with many of the people she’s met, continuing the connections they’ve built.

Aerial is more than ready to go back home, and we, volunteers and staff from the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, are welcoming her with open arms, eager to learn from her experiences and continue our mission together.

Curious about Aerial’s deployment? Read more here.