Service To Armed Forces

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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 has been granted, The Red Cross has provided not only communication but a variety of other important services to help members of the armed forces and their families.

The Red Cross nurses and ambulance drivers served during the Spanish-American War and World War I.  The Red Cross canteens welcomed American troops during World War II, and the American Red Cross recreation clubs were established close to the front lines in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.  During the 1990-91 conflict in the Persian Gulf the Red Cross provided service members and their families with financial assistance, crisis intervention, support groups and a variety of other services.

Today, the Red Cross provides basic humanitarian services to members of the armed forces, and their families and veterans during peacetime and conflict on U.S. Military installations both in the United States and around the world.

Today's American Red Cross is keeping peacewith the changing military.  Using the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross sends communications on behalf of family members who are facing emergencies and other important events to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving the world.  These communications are delivered around-the-clock, 7days a week, 365 days a year.

Both active duty and community based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their familiesback home, access to financial assistance, counseling and assistance to veterans, Red CrossService to the Armed Forces personnel work in 756 chapters in the Unided States, on 58 military installations around the world and with our troops in Kiwait, Afganistan and Iraq.

Reporting and Communications

Assists with the comminications of such matters as birth, serious illness or death in the family. The information is verified and can be used for leave requests.  Emergency Communications is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Information Required on service person is:

1. Service members complete name.
2. Rank
3. Social security number and date of birth
4. Military address

Other information required:

1. Hospital or funeral name and phone number
2. Doctor's name and phone number

Emergency Financial Assistance

The American Red Cross works in partnership with the military aid sociaties including the Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.   This alliance helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day such as for food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off,etc.

For further assistance, please contact the Monroe County Chapter at (734) 289-1481 or Toll Free (800) 391-8668 if your call is after hours call the numbers listed and follow the prompts, leave a message and a case worker will call you back.