Saluting our veterans

To the editor:
    The Aroostook County branch of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter salutes all veterans who throughout our nation’s history have so valiantly and selflessly served our great  country. The Red Cross has a historic and unique role in supporting veterans and their family members, as well as members of the United States Armed Forces, members of the National Guard and Reserves.
    Every day, the Red Cross Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services Program supports our nation’s veterans and their families in the 172 VA medical facilities around the nation, providing a variety of services including physical rehabilitation, nursing and ward services, administrative help, and community outreach. The Red Cross also assists veterans, veteran’s widows, and dependents with processing claims for VA benefits.
    In addition to its support to veterans, Red Cross workers ensure essential communication links for all military families during times of crisis. Working in more than 700 chapters across the country, 58 military installations, two state-of-the-art communication centers and at military installations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, active duty military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications which link the service member and their family members back home in times of an emergency.
    According to Suzan Bell, Executive Director of the Pine Tree Chapter, “The Red Cross has aided hundreds of thousands of military members and families throughout the years and our chapter remains steadfastly committed to supporting the dedicated men and women in our community who serve our nation.”
    In addition to handling emergency communication messages for families, the Red Cross also provides emergency access to financial assistance through the military aid societies, confidential counseling services, and valuable referrals.
    Within the past 10 weeks, the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter has provided help and support to eight military members and their families with emergency communication assistance.
    For more information about Red Cross services to our country’s military members in the Aroostook County area, please call 207-762-5671.
Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County
 branch manager
American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter