Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)

With Red Cross, soldiers are just a phone call away (Sun-Herald, 09 September 20006)

"I want to remind any of you who may have family or friends in the military about what you need to do if you must get an emergency message to a soldier.

"Whether they are stationed stateside or overseas, you must go through your local Red Cross chapter to start the message.

"Our phone is manned 24 hours a day. Our Red Cross worldwide emergency communication network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

"We will help you or your family send emergency messages regarding the death or serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or other family emergencies. The Red Cross can provide you and your loved ones with fast, reliable information to help make decisions regarding emergency leaves, deferments, compassionate reassignments and dependency discharges.

"The Red Cross collaborates with the military aid societies in providing financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises -- that is, when you might need financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter."