In 1905, the U.S. 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 Red Cross has provided not only communications but a variety of basic humanitarian services to help members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families around the world. Red Cross nurses provided aid as far back as the Civil War and Spanish-American War with ambulance drivers being added during World War I. Red Cross canteens welcomed American troops during World War II and American Red Cross recreation clubs were established close to the front lines in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The Red Cross has supported U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, Rwanda, Cuba, Haiti and anywhere else our service men and women are deployed.

The Red Cross sends an emergency communication every 22 seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Red Cross also offers other services to members of our armed forces. Financial assistance, counseling, referrals and veteran affairs are all a part of Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services.

We are working hard, during this time of conflict, to provide the fastest, most reliable support possible to the troops. The Department of Defense has suggested to us several different ways that someone can show support for U.S. servicemen and women:

*     Send a special e-mail message to members of the military by going online to: http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/About.html. This is the online version of "Operation Dear Abby" which for years allowed individuals to send messages of gratitute to troops via regular mail, but was suspended last year amid security concerns.

*    You can also show your appreciation by sending an online thank you at: http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html.

*    Visit Veterans Administration hospitals and nursing homes. Many service members who normally do this volunteer work are now deployed.

*    Citizens who know military families can offer support by reaching out to those families with loved ones deployed overseas. Many times they have special needs. Talk to them, offer words of encouragement, and discover ways you can help them directly.