Staff, volunteers and donors rally in honor of "Operation Iraqi Freedom" team

American Red Cross
Tuesday, 12 August 2003

With cheers, tears, hugs and signs, American Red Cross staff, volunteers and donors today took a quick break from the business of saving lives to launch an "operation" of a different kind. For "Operation Welcome Home" hundreds at the organization's national headquarters cheered the return of 24 American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) workers from deployments in support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom." The 24 lived and worked along side U.S. service members stationed in the Persian Gulf region for up to eight months. "Operation Welcome Home" kicked off a day of recognition and appreciation for team members that included a ceremony and luncheon with loved ones.

As part of its Congressional charter, the American Red Cross is "a medium of communication between the people of the United States and the Armed Forces of the United States." Civilians whose job takes them right to the frontlines, AFES staff ensure that urgent news of death/illness and births from back home gets to U.S. service members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The first team supporting "Iraqi Freedom" arrived in Kuwait on January 25, 2003 and as the conflict continues, 18 American Red Cross workers remain.

"The returning teams and their colleagues who remain deployed epitomize an inspirational commitment to the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross," said Sue Richter, interim executive director of Operations and Response, the arm of the organization that administers services to the U.S. military and their families. "Far away from loved ones and living under very challenging conditions-we're mindful of the sacrifices of these brave men and women. We're very proud and want to congratulate and recognize them for a job well done!"

Corporate donors to the American Red Cross services for members of the military and their families also took part in "Operation Welcome Home." On hand for the rally and the ceremony were representatives from Nextel and VIDI Solutions, AOL for Broadband and Hewlett Packard. Through its Donate a Phone program©, Nextel expects to raise approximately $250,000 for AFES services. VIDI Solutions, AOL for Broadband and Hewlett Packard donated $100,000 worth of equipment and services to selected American Red Cross chapters that allowed family members to send video messages to loved ones serving overseas. Unable to attend but providing significant support were The Lilly Endowment and the Verizon Foundation with gifts of $5 million and $33,000 respectively.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org