Services to Veterans & Military Retirees
The Red Cross provides assistance, information and referrals to veterans regarding their available benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our Red Cross workers are trained to assist veterans in obtaining evidence, preparing information to support, and otherwise developing a claim for financial benefits through the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Red Cross volunteers, through the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services, can provide a number of support services to patients in Veterans Administration Hospitals and provide referrals to appropriate agencies within our community to meet other immediate needs. 

Services to Armed Forces (SAF)
In 1905 the United States Congress granted a charter to the American Red Cross that required the organization to act "in accord with the military authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States and their armed forces..."Since that charter was granted the American Red Cross has provided not only communications but a variety of basic humanitarian services to help members of the United States Armed Forces and their families.

American Red Cross caseworkers are at work around-the-clock, around-the-world.They also deploy with U.S. troops in operations and exercises worldwide. While serving all active duty personnel, your local Red Cross also reaches out to the members of the National Guard and the Reserves who can benefit from the same services when they are on active duty.

Emergency Communication
Today's American Red Cross uses the latest in computer and telecommunications technology to allow family members to send messages, during an emergency or other important event, to their loved ones in the military wherever they are stationed around the world.
To assist us in expediting the message, please try to provide the following information about the service member:
* complete name
* rank/rate
* social security number or date of birth
* military address (if known)

Specially trained Red Cross caseworkers can be reached 24 hours a day at 1-800-608-8634.

The caseworker verifies all information and relays the message to the military authorities who will deliver the message to the service member. It is up to the commanding officer to decide whether or not to grant an emergency leave request.

Health and Welfare Inquiries
Sometimes, regular communication between services members and their families is disrupted. The Red Cross can help! We can communicate with the installation or ship where the service person is stationed. Service members can request the same level of information about their families back home.

Emergency Financial Assistance
American Red Cross caseworkers assist military personnel and their families by making referrals to military aid societies for emergency financial assistance in the form of an interest-free loan or as a grant, when an urgent personal or family crisis arises. Financial assistance may be provided when there is a demonstrated need for funds for such things as emergency travel, burial assistance, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Please contact the Volunteer Services Director at (360) 733-3290 ext. 1015.

Links to United States Armed Forces Web Sites

United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Army Reserve
United States Coast Guard
United States Marine Corps
United States National Guard
United States Navy