Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

By Hailie Duenkel, Volunteer 

Photo by: Military.com

May is National Military Appreciation Month – where we pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces, educate society on the role the military plays in the community, and showcase top of the line equipment and abilities used to protect the United States.

Photo by: afd.defense.gov

This year’s theme is “For the Nation. For the People” and the American Red Cross takes an active role every day to support the people of the military. The Red Cross began aiding America’s military during the Spanish-American War when Red Cross President Clara Barton employed nurses across the country to help the Army at medical camps in Florida and Cuba. Still serving 24 hours a day, the Red Cross continues to support our military during times of crisis. From American backyards to military organizations around the world, here are some services the Red Cross provides for our military families:

Veteran Services – Red Cross services for veterans date back to World War I and are still exceedingly active today. We offer referrals to community resources and programs, assist veterans with claims for benefits, and lead an active volunteer program in veteran’s administration and military hospitals providing vital assistance in the areas of rehabilitation, recreation, administration, and personal services.

Emergency Communications – If military personnel need emergency communication with their family or vice-versa, the Red Cross will independently verify the emergency and enable the service member’s commander to make an educated decision regarding emergency leave. The Red Cross will then provide transportation assistance and/or financial assistance if needed.

Financial Assistance – The Red Cross works in partnership with military aid societies to provide financial assistance in the form of emergency travel, the burial of a loved one, and emergency food and shelter, etc. These services provide for those eligible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Deployment Services – Developed workshops and information and support services designed to assist military members and their families cope with the constant challenges of the deployment cycle, are just a few of the amenities the Red Cross provides.

Information Referral – The Red Cross assists military families to identify their needs and connects them to the most appropriate Red Cross and community resources. These requests include emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, mental health), and respite care for caregivers.

The Red Cross has served more than 1 million military families since 9/11 and continues every day to provide 24/7 global emergency services. If you would like to volunteer to assist with these programs that benefit our military families, click here to start your patriotic journey today.