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The American Red Cross, a voluntary
health and welfare organization established in 1881, received
its first congressional charter in June 1900 and was reincorporated
by an act of Congress on January 5, 1905.
Two purposes of the organization relate to activities with
the armed forces. As specified by the charter, these purposes
are
(1) "to furnish volunteer aid to the sick and the wounded
of the Armed Forces in time of war…" and
(2) "to act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord
with the military of voluntary relief and in accord with the
military authorities as a medium of communication between
the people of the United States of America and their Armed
Forces…"
Since that charter was granted, the Red Cross has provided
not only communications but also a variety of basic humanitarian
services to help members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their
families around the world. The American Red Cross provides
an around-the-clock, around-the-world emergency communications
network available to the men and women of our armed services
and their families during personal emergencies. This service
operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a week at no cost to service
personnel and their families. The Red Cross facilitates emergency
messages and requests for emergency leave for service members
in times of need, such as serious illness and/or death of
a family member. The Red Cross works with the military to
provide interest free loans and grants to service members
during crisis situations.
SAF
Numbers for the Current Fiscal Year (7/1/07-04/30/08)
| Branch
|
|
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Veteran
Civilian |
85
7
20
12
2
0
9 |
| Grand
Total |
135 |
|
Family
Member Information
The Red Cross sends emergency messages regarding immediate family members
of men and women serving in the military. The person
that's requesting to send a message must live in the Northeast
Louisiana Chapter jurisdiction. These parishes are
Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Madison, Morehouse,
Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll.
Please note that there may be a delay in receiving medical
verification due to the new Health Insurance Privacy &
Portability Act (HIPPA). To assist us in receiving the verification,
please contact the nursing supervisor at the hospital or doctor's
office to sign a release of information form. You can also
have the doctor, nurse or social worker contact the Red Cross
directly. This will ensure the message is sent in a timely
manner.
Sending
a Message
To send a message, you must have the following information
on the service member:
- Full Name
- Social Security Number
- Branch of Service
- Rank
- Complete Military Address
A military information form can be completed and kept in
a safe place for easy access during an emergency.
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