| Clearfield-Jefferson Chapter |
| Service to Armed Forces Kristy Baughman, Emergency Services Director |
| A trained caseworker is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist members of the Armed Forces and their families. If you are in need of services, please call the chapter at 814-765-5516 in Clearfield, or 814-849-2712 in Brookville and follow the instructions to reach a caseworker. |
History
In 1905, the U.S. Congress granted a charter to the American Red Cross that required
the organization to act "in accord with the military authorities as a medium of
communication between the people of the United States and their Armed Forces…"
Since that charter was granted, the Red Cross has provided not only communications
but a variety of other important services to help members of the armed forces and their
families.
The Red Cross provides basic humanitarian services to members of the armed forces,
their families and veterans during both peacetime and conflict, on U.S. Military
installations both in the United States and around the world.
Services
Emergency Communications:
The Red Cross keeps military personnel in touch with their family following death or
illness
of a family member, or the birth of a child, or in response to other family emergencies.
Financial Assistance:
The Red Cross may provide financial assistance, either as an interest-free loan or as a
grant, when a service member is unable to repay a loan. Financial assistance is
provided
to service members who have a demonstrated need for funds for such things as
emergency
travel and other urgent needs.
Counseling and Other Services:
The Red Cross offers short-term counseling and referral, health and safety training, and
other services to members of the military and their families.
In peacetime or in battle, the Red Cross is there to help American soldiers
because………………………..Help Can't Wait!
In 1905, the U.S. Congress granted a charter to the American Red Cross that required
the organization to act "in accord with the military authorities as a medium of
communication between the people of the United States and their Armed Forces…"
Since that charter was granted, the Red Cross has provided not only communications
but a variety of other important services to help members of the armed forces and their
families.
The Red Cross provides basic humanitarian services to members of the armed forces,
their families and veterans during both peacetime and conflict, on U.S. Military
installations both in the United States and around the world.
Services
Emergency Communications:
The Red Cross keeps military personnel in touch with their family following death or
illness
of a family member, or the birth of a child, or in response to other family emergencies.
Financial Assistance:
The Red Cross may provide financial assistance, either as an interest-free loan or as a
grant, when a service member is unable to repay a loan. Financial assistance is
provided
to service members who have a demonstrated need for funds for such things as
emergency
travel and other urgent needs.
Counseling and Other Services:
The Red Cross offers short-term counseling and referral, health and safety training, and
other services to members of the military and their families.
In peacetime or in battle, the Red Cross is there to help American soldiers
because………………………..Help Can't Wait!
| Resources for Military Members and their Families These are Microsoft Word Documents and can be printed |
| American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Frequently Asked Questions |
What is the role of Red Cross workers with the military in time of conflict?
The Red Cross mission is to keep the American people in touch with their family members
serving in the armed forces. To accomplish this work, Red Cross workers frequently deploy on
assignment with military forces to keep the communication link operational around the clock and
around the globe. Other Red Cross services are made available to military personnel on an as
needed basis just as they are in the civilian communities.
What was the role of the American Red Cross during World War II?
Why doesn't the American Red Cross provide the same services for the public as if
does to members of the armed forces?
With the exception of emergency communication services, the Red Cross does provide the same
services to both military and civilian populations.
Military service is unique, frequently separating families for extended periods of time and often
placing loved ones in harms way. Red Cross emergency communication services keep families
in this unique situation connected when a problem develops back home.
Why can't the military provide for communication between members of the armed
forces and their families, instead of the Red Cross?
Assisting the American people to communicate with their family members serving in the Armed
Forces was a mandate from the U.S. Congress to the American Red Cross many years ago. The
majority of family members needing this assistance live in civilian communities far removed from
military installations and many do not know how to reach a family member stationed in the
military. They can and do, however, call their local Red Cross chapter where workers are
available around the clock to assist.
Over 95 percent of the family emergencies requiring the presence of a military service member
begin back home with the death/serious illness of a father, mother, grandparent or other close
relative. Once the local Red Cross has verified all details relating to the emergency, information
is sent to the service member stationed anywhere worldwide. The family may want this
information shared with military commands that will decide if the service member will be granted
emergency leave to come home. Commanders overseas and on ships at sea frequently require
Red Cross verification before emergency leave is granted.
Military leaders are the first to say they do not have the capacity to verify and validate family
emergencies or to get in touch with families back home. They turn to the Red Cross for this
information, which is frequently transmitted over the Department of Defense (DOD)
communications systems from one Red Cross worker to another.
The Red Cross mission is to keep the American people in touch with their family members
serving in the armed forces. To accomplish this work, Red Cross workers frequently deploy on
assignment with military forces to keep the communication link operational around the clock and
around the globe. Other Red Cross services are made available to military personnel on an as
needed basis just as they are in the civilian communities.
What was the role of the American Red Cross during World War II?
- Provided emergency communication between members of the armed forces and their
families - Recruited 104,456 registered nurses and certified them for the military
- Collected 13.4 million pints of blood for military patients
- Assembled and shipped nearly 28 million food and medicine parcels for U.S. and Allied
prisoners of war - Provided war relief supplies for 75 million civilians overseas
- Carried on extensive relief and rehabilitation programs for the civilian war victims
- Stockpiled plasma from the new Red Cross Blood Donor Service for the armed forces.
Red Cross blood was used immediately at hospitals near the bombing of Pearl Harbor to
save the first of many lives over the next four years - Overseas, thousands of American Red Cross workers operated recreation clubs and
clubmobiles in rest and recreation areas or provided compassionate services for the
troops they accompanied - Red Cross caseworkers and recreation staff were attached to military hospitals, hospital
ships, and hospital trains
Why doesn't the American Red Cross provide the same services for the public as if
does to members of the armed forces?
With the exception of emergency communication services, the Red Cross does provide the same
services to both military and civilian populations.
Military service is unique, frequently separating families for extended periods of time and often
placing loved ones in harms way. Red Cross emergency communication services keep families
in this unique situation connected when a problem develops back home.
Why can't the military provide for communication between members of the armed
forces and their families, instead of the Red Cross?
Assisting the American people to communicate with their family members serving in the Armed
Forces was a mandate from the U.S. Congress to the American Red Cross many years ago. The
majority of family members needing this assistance live in civilian communities far removed from
military installations and many do not know how to reach a family member stationed in the
military. They can and do, however, call their local Red Cross chapter where workers are
available around the clock to assist.
Over 95 percent of the family emergencies requiring the presence of a military service member
begin back home with the death/serious illness of a father, mother, grandparent or other close
relative. Once the local Red Cross has verified all details relating to the emergency, information
is sent to the service member stationed anywhere worldwide. The family may want this
information shared with military commands that will decide if the service member will be granted
emergency leave to come home. Commanders overseas and on ships at sea frequently require
Red Cross verification before emergency leave is granted.
Military leaders are the first to say they do not have the capacity to verify and validate family
emergencies or to get in touch with families back home. They turn to the Red Cross for this
information, which is frequently transmitted over the Department of Defense (DOD)
communications systems from one Red Cross worker to another.
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