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Why can't the military provide for
communication between members of the armed
forces and their families, instead of the Red
Cross?
Why doesn't ARC provide the same services for
the public as if does to members of the armed
forces?
What is the role of Red Cross workers with
the military in time of conflict?
Has the Red Cross undertaken the AFES
Modernization Plan to de-emphasize national and
chapter service to military families?
What was the role of the American Red Cross
during World War II
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%
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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Why doesn't ARC
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.
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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.
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Has the Red
Cross undertaken the AFES Modernization Plan to
de-emphasize national and chapter service to
military families?
The Modernization of AFES is nearly complete and Red
Cross services continue to be provided on all
military installations around the globe. The service
delivery process was changed to take advantage of
advanced automation and telecommunication
technology. AFES has worked hard to combine this
"high tech" with the "high touch" clients and
customers expect from the Red Cross. AFES
Modernization has enhanced service delivery,
increased efficiency and reduced operating costs.
Furthermore, a new program to help chapters reach
out to National Guard, Reserve, and other military
personnel will soon be released. The number of
guardsmen/reservists now exceed active duty military
and they are being called to active duty in record
numbers, more frequently and for longer periods of
time. The families of these "citizen soldiers" need
a place to turn for help when emergencies strike and
the military member is deployed. Red Cross chapters
are uniquely positioned to assist. Key chapters are
helping to develop this new program entitled "Get To
Know Us Before You Need Us" and are eager to begin
delivery of this exciting new program.
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What was the
role of the American Red Cross during World War II?
The Red Cross responded during World War II in many
different ways:
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Provided emergency communication between members
of the armed forces and their families
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Recruited 104,456 registered nurses and certified
them for the military
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Collected 13.4 million pints of blood for military
patients
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Assembled and shipped nearly 28 million food and
medicine parcels for U.S. and Allied prisoners of
war
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Provided war relief supplies for 75 million
civilians overseas
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Carried
on extensive relief and rehabilitation programs
for the civilian war victims
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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
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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
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Red
Cross caseworkers and recreation staff were
attached to military hospitals, hospital ships,
and hospital trains
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