Mission Monday-Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces

There are so many ways to give back to your community and to those who serve to protect you. Of course there is always the financial contributions that make missions and organizations able to provide services to those in need. Another way is by volunteering your time. Being the wife of a soldier I have somewhat of an advantage to knowing what the needs of a military family might be. I was introduced to the Red Cross's Service to the Armed Forces through my home church here in Savannah. When I heard about some of the things they did I did not have to think twice about signing up to help. I have been on board with the Red Cross since 2005. One of my favorite things that we do through the American Red Cross Savannah Chapter is assist with in and outgoing flights for deploying soldiers. You are required to go through a one hour training course and a background check as well as provide a list of references. Once your application process is complete you are ready to go. If you can spare the time and live near a military installation I highly suggest being a part of this spectacular endeavor. The more people who sign up, the less of a burden it will be on just a few. Often times the flights are during the late hours or very early morning hours. Usually you are there for approximately two to three hours preparing and serving coffee, other refreshments, and donuts while the soldiers are processing out for their deployment. Once they are ready to board the aircraft the teams head out to the tarmac with American flags in hand and create a welcoming tunnel to the ramp of the plane. The soldiers exit the building in full gear and weapons and walk through the path up to the craft. We are the last Americans on American soil they will see. We give them words of encouragement, pats on the back, hugs, prayers, flags, and hollers. I enjoy circling up as the craft sits in preparation for take off, and praying over the soldiers and their flight to destination and their mission. I think it is nice for them to know that they truly are being prayed over. We then stand on that tarmac and watch the bird until it has left our site.

It is even nicer to work the returning flights. If you have never seen a group of soldiers return home from a deployment you have never witnessed pure, red blooded, American pride! I have never felt more proud in all my life, other than when my husband returns, than when our soldiers exit that aircraft shouting and hollering with smiles wider than the Mississippi. We do not have to reach out to them and hug them, they practically bulldoze us over, as we are the first Americans on American soil that they encounter. It must be a strange feeling returning home from such a long deployment in foreign land separated from family and the familiarities of freedom. Then, to just be thwarted back into it all so quickly, what a whirl wind of exchanges and emotions? Once the soldiers have exited the craft we return to the DAAG, or the terminal, and provide them with refreshments and familiar conversation. I greatly enjoy seeing their expressions as they re-familiarize themselves with their surroundings.

Another area where there is a need is prior to the terminal or take off. The families and soldiers are held in the hangar for a period of time for saying good-bye. Not only is this absolutely the most difficult to witness but by far one of the most precious places of need. As motherly and wifely instincts kicked in while I walked around to pass flags out to the families I recognized some needs. You see, a majority of these families were “stationed” here away from their home towns. This means they likely do not have family here to help with childcare. I noticed young husbands and wives who were longing to spend a few minutes alone to say good-bye to each other, and right in the middle would be an overly exhausted, crying baby and a very frustrated and scared mother/wife. I offered to hold that newborn while the couple spent some time alone, (well, not really, because there were hundreds of other couples and kids in the hangar), I stood close by with baby, rocking him to sleep. When they were ready for baby, I asked if they had anyone to take their picture. They had not. They also had forgotten a camera. My heart was broken. In the back of my mind I was thinking how great it would be if we could provide disposable cameras to those that did not have one or had forgotten theirs. In reality, this could be the last time this family is together and they know it. They each had a cell phone with a camera. so, I took their picture with the phones and went on my way to the next family. Again, over and over, the same thing. Many of these young couples just wanted a few minutes to themselves to say good-bye. Many of them wanted family pictures taken but no one to take one of all of them together, or they had no camera. Many couples had no one to tend to their baby for a few moments. Some of the families had older children that were dealing with things on a different level. I came across several teenaged boys who were having a difficult time with their aunt, cousin, mom, dad, or sister leaving to go to a foreign land and be in harms way. You could see the sadness and uncertainty in their faces and the fear in their eyes. Speaking to them and praying with them seemed to make such a huge difference. As the night went on, I could see them from across the large room and they seemed a little lighter and wore smiles instead of frowns. I had made many friends that night. They would come up to me all throughout the night playing with me and just wanting to say hi. I met many parents who very proud of their children, many of them were proud vets. I also was touched by the young and first time soldiers. It seemed important for them to hear from someone that they were loved, prayed for, and that they mattered. Some of these guys and girls were only 19 and 20 years old and their families were stretched all across the country. They lay there on the floor propped against their ruck sack, alone and quiet. I am sure they were fine and just mentally focused. When I spoke to them, they were all very friendly, bright eyed, and had large smiles pasted on their faces. They were eager to tell of their families and where they were from. I believe I was more blessed this night than any soldier. One of the families was a female officer and mother of three. Her oldest daughter was 18, son was 13, and her youngest daughter was 9. There was no father remaining to care for the children. Let me tell you though, these three children were some of the best and most well mannered kids I have ever seen. They were obviously a tight family and loved each other very much. The 18 year old child would be the care taker with a grandmother to check in. Watching the soldiers walk out of the hangar away from their families, was the most difficult thing I think I have ever witnessed as a bi-stander. Some silently cried to themselves, while others had no shame and released it. Among those with no shame were the young children, the very young children. One little boy, he had to be around two years old, ran after his mother out of the hangar, and grabbed her leg, sobbing. These soldiers left for a twelve month tour just one week before Thanksgiving. I wonder what you will be doing this Thanksgiving or throughout this holiday season. There are many more flights to go and come. While these stories are heart breaking, they are the reason we can freely celebrate this holiday season. I am very proud of our soldiers. I am so thankful for each and everyone of them, for their sacrifice every single day. I am so grateful to their families for their sacrifices on a daily basis. These soldiers are not looking for pity. But they do deserve our support and our recognition. If there is any way that you can help, please consider it. If you have any questions about the program you can view the site or contact Guy McDonald at

Guy McDonald, K4GTM
ARES Emergency Coordinator
Chatham County GA
www.k4gtm.blogspot.com/

Or the coordinator of the Savannah Chapter of the Service to the Armed Forces Carol Megathlin.