Armed Forces

The Tri-County Red Cross was invited to be a guest speaker at the statewide December meeting of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association.  Executive Director Nathan Rudy spoke about how the chapter supports active duty soldiers and their families, provides volunteer and social programs at the Lyon's Veterans Administration Hospital, and give disaster relief both locally and nationally.

"We hope to work with the Vietnam Veterans and other veterans organizations to better prepare our communities for disaster and support our active duty soldiers and retirees," said Rudy.  "We have the same goals, and working together we can do even more than we do separately."

Development and Marketing Director Corinna Krauskopf was honored by being asked to light the candle for POW/MIA at the beginning of the meeting.  VVA Chaplain Joe Formola made the invitation.

Here are some photos of the event.



Tri-County Red Cross Emergency Services Director Mike Prasad and Development Officer Corinna Krauskopf listen to speakers at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association Statewide meeting on Sunday, December 14, 2008.

Tri-County Red Cross Executive Director Nathan Rudy presents to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association.

Corinna Krauskopf lights the POW/MIA candle at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association statewide meeting.

You can join the American Red Cross Services for Armed Forces on Facebook, and while you're at it join the Tri-County Red Cross on Facebook, too!

Sometimes we get to do some pretty nice stuff at the American Red Cross. On of the lesser known functions we have is the Service to Armed Forces where we handle the paperwork and research when a family requests a soldier come home from duty due to an emergency or death.

This week saw a birth bring home Army Sergeant Scott Baur from Iraq to be with his wife Heather.  Nice.

With almost three days of cross-continental travel under his belt, Army Sgt. Scott Baur reached the most important destination of all, holding the hand of his wife, Heather, when their daughter, Jennifer, was born Tuesday evening at Monmouth Medical Center.

Baur is attached to the Army 50th brigade combat team, based in Freehold. And last Friday, he was on duty in Iraq.

Doctors at the hospital worked with the American Red Cross to arrange the emergency leave, a first for the hospital, which had tried unsuccessfully to get three other servicemen flown home for births earlier.

The Red Cross acts as a liaison for families of servicemen and servicewomen in times of emergency, sending emergency communications to deployed troops.

Families of soldiers stationed overseas who wish to learn more about American Red Cross programs available to them can call our Tri-County Office at (908) 756-6414 to set up an appointment to have a representative go over our Get To Know Us Before You Need Us program.

Anyone interested in volunteering in support of our Armed Forces or disaster services can call Nathan Rudy at (908) 756-6414.