Tag Archives: Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces

Regional Specialist Bagdad Bound

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By Mary Falconer-Williams, American Red Cross volunteer

Since 1898, when Clara Barton sailed to Cuba with supplies for those affected by the Spanish-American War, the American Red Cross and the United States Armed Forces have maintained a unique relationship.

Service to the Armed Forces Program Specialist Nasir Ahmad

Today, that relationship takes the form of one special position, the Service to the Armed Forces Program Specialist—a position which, in Northern Ohio, is held by Nasir Ahmad.

“Nasir has been an invaluable member of the Service to Armed Forces/International Services team in Northern Ohio,” wrote Dr. Alaina Foster, Regional Program Manager for the department. “I’m glad he will have the opportunity to share his passion for connecting service members to the many resources offered through the Red Cross, during his deployment.”

This specialist position was created to assist in the delivery of Red Cross programs and services, in order to meet the needs of military members, veterans, and their families while focusing on supporting the delivery of International Services including:

● International Humanitarian Law
● Youth Action Campaign
● Restoring Family Links

Additionally, Nasir is part of a special workforce required to deploy on short-term assignments. Which means, he is headed to Bagdad, Iraq for six months! During his deployment, he will focus on ensuring Training Services programs like First Aid and CPR are supported and promoted in the jurisdiction, and assist in maintaining a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with local Armed Forces Blood Service Programs.

Nasir Ahmad and Alaina Foster

“I couldn’t be prouder of Nasir as he deploys overseas to provide members of our Armed Forces Red Cross services,” stated Mike Parks, Regional CEO. “As a retired veteran himself, Nasir knows firsthand the value of the support provided by the dedicated members of the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces deployed staff and volunteers. I join our entire Northern Ohio Region in thanking Nasir for his deployment and wishing him a safe return!”

Nasir was born and raised in Cleveland. Shortly after graduating high school, he joined the Air Force where he worked as an aircraft mechanic (Crew Chief), first on the C-130 cargo plane and then on the B-1 bomber. Nasir retired after 21 years of active-duty service and returned home where he attended Cleveland State University and graduated with a business degree.

“The Red Cross was a great fit. In Service to the Armed Forces, the Red Cross’ oldest line of service, I’m able to help veterans in Northern Ohio and stay connected to the military community,” said Nasir. “And now…I’m on my way to Baghdad!”

See more photos from the send-off for Nasir here.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Four generations dedicated to serving our country and community

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Sons follow in mom’s footsteps

By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

Did you know that May is National Military Appreciation Month and that the American Red Cross has been serving the military for more than 140 years? The Red Cross works with military and veteran families through its Service to the Armed Forces program, including supporting military families during deployments and emergencies, providing home comforts and critical services on military bases and assisting veterans after their service ends.

Alaina Foster, US Air Force

At the head of the Northern Ohio Region’s Service to the Armed Forces and International Services is Regional Program Director Dr. Alaina Foster. An Air Force veteran who is part of a four-generation family of U.S. service members, she understands the importance of serving those who serve our country. Her grandfather, father and husband all served in the Army, and two of her sons followed in her footsteps to serve in the Air Force. She decided to join the Air Force after high school, serving one tour as an air traffic controller and a munitions maintenance scheduler.

Richard West, US Army Veteran and Alaina’s father

Following her service, she returned back to her home in Northeast Ohio and studied to be a state-tested nursing assistant (STNA). It was during her studies as an STNA when she had her first interaction with the Red Cross, which held some of the trainings as part of the program. After completing her STNA program she went on to earn multiple degrees, the most recent being a doctorate in education from Kansas State University.

Through her schooling, she discovered a love for higher education and paired that with her military experience to serve veterans who were using higher education to transition back to civilian life. She remembers the feeling of being unsure of where her career would take her when she completed her duty and transitioned back to civilian life, and said it was an honor for her to be able to give back to her community and fellow veterans. Last year, Alaina, was presented the opportunity to join the Red Cross of Northern Ohio as the Regional Program Director for the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services.

Jacob Blade, center, with siblings Jade and Jaz

Alaina said one of her favorite aspects is working with the volunteers who are passionate about helping service members.

“They work for hours on end…the reward for them is to assist the client,” she said. “They aren’t getting any financial award or benefits other than to help another human being. That’s what the Red Cross mission is all about.”

Joshua Blade, US Air Force

There are a lot of exciting initiatives coming up that Alaina also shared. One that is near
and dear to her is the development of a workshop where she is combining her experience in higher education and what the Red Cross has to offer to support our veterans. The Service to the Armed Forces Virtual Resiliency Workshops are live, interactive virtual sessions that seek to bring together veterans to connect and learn the tools to build upon their natural resilience. Additionally, she is working with the Tiffany Circle, a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission, to host a baby shower for women veterans.

Alaina’s joy and passion for the Red Cross and serving those in the Armed Forces
shines brightly. She encourages everyone to connect with the Red Cross. “The
American Red Cross is a phenomenal organization and is here to serve anyone who
needs us.”

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Mike’s 2023 Veterans Day message

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By Mike Parks, RADM, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), CEO, American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region

Greetings, Northern Ohio Red Cross Family and Friends!  This Saturday we’ll be celebrating Veterans Day.  Prior to that, on Friday, November 10th, we will honor the United States Marine Corps’ 248th anniversary.  Thank you to all those Marines who have remained Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) as they’ve helped keep our country safe and free for almost two and half centuries! 

Veterans Day (that’s right—no apostrophe) is celebrated on the 11th of November, although this year the federal holiday is observed on Friday the 10th of November.  Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).  In 1938, through an act of Congress, November 11th was made a legal holiday.  There are currently 18.5 million veterans of which almost 2.5 million are women.  Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio are the six states with the greatest number of veterans. 

I’m often asked what is the best thing to say to a veteran on Veterans Day? I’ve always felt the right thing to say is to thank the veteran for their service & sacrifice in defending our freedom.  I also feel it’s important to thank their families for their tremendous sacrifices in supporting their veteran over the years. 

Photo Illustration by Abby Walker/American Red Cross

One of the most admirable qualities of many of our veterans is their commitment to continued service—even after serving their country in uniform.  Several of our nation’s veterans find ways to continue to selflessly serve their communities as civil servants, first responders, teachers, and members of Veteran Service Organizations (USO, DAV, AmVets, American Legion, & NEOPAT to name just a few), as well as other non-profits.   This includes our own American Red Cross, where there are currently more than one thousand men and women who indicate they are veterans engaging in all lines of Red Cross service and representing all branches of the Armed Forces.   For these veterans, service seems to be in their DNA.  This is also true of the tens of thousands of veterans who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure supporting countless righteous causes in their communities around the country.  As a nation, we are truly blessed by so many veterans who are committed to “service beyond service.”   

Photo Illustration by Betsy Robertson/American Red Cross

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Red Cross also has a Team Member Resource Group for veterans and allies.  If you’re interested in more information about the Vets + TMRG, please reach out to VeteransPlus@redcross.org. 

I think President Ronald Reagan said it best in a 1983 radio address to the nation when he commented, “Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they’ve suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.”  Hopefully, all of us will never take for granted the freedom we’ve been afforded to us by the valor and courage of our veterans! 

Best regards…Mike

Committed to helping those who serve

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May is Military Appreciation Month

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

As American Red Cross volunteers and staff members, we have been honored to work alongside several veterans, some of whom we have had the honor of featuring on this blog. In addition to the values of service, commitment, and being part of an effective team, they speak of the importance of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF). SAF has been vital during their military careers and as veterans, often leading them to join the Red Cross themselves.

Contributing authors and those profiled include Cynthia Skidmore, Brinton Lincoln, Chiane Martin, Dave Riegler, Brook Harless, Sally Falasca, Paul Svasta and of course the CEO of the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region and Rear Admiral, US Coast Guard (Retired), Mike Parks.

May is Military Appreciation Month and May 20th is Armed Forces Day. The Red Cross has been committed to assisting military members, veterans, and their families since its inception in 1881. Services include emergency financial assistance, counseling, and support for veterans.

One of the most important roles is providing emergency communication services. Whether a natural disaster, family illness, or other crises, members of the Red Cross help connect military families. Speaking personally as a member of an extended military family, I have often seen the effectiveness of these services in bringing relatives home when needed.

Pre-deployment event at Youngstown Air Reserve Station

Military families receive support to help cope with the challenges of military life, such as frequent moves, deployments, and separations. One very popular program is animal visitation.

Additional Red Cross services help improve the well-being of service members, veterans, and military families. These include reconnection workshops to help adjust to post-deployment life, and military hospital programs to provide comfort and support to wounded service members and their families.

For Military Appreciation Month, please join us in thanking military members, veterans, and military families for their service. Please also consider helping support them through volunteering with the Red Cross or providing a donation.

SAF volunteer roles include:

  • Delivering critical emergency messages through the Red Cross Hero Care Network.
  • For both medical and non-medical volunteers, providing patient comfort and care for injured service members and their families.
  • For mental health professionals, leading free resiliency workshops for military families in need.

You can get more information about how you can volunteer to help members of the military, veterans and their families here.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer


Volunteers share their pets to help members of the military and veterans

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By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

Pet visitation has long been offered by the American Red Cross as a service to the armed forces. In the Northern Ohio Region, the pet visitation program was recently expanded.

Pre-deployment event at Youngstown Air Reserve Station

Bree, a Goldendoodle, and Shane, a Rough Collie, are trained members of the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program (AVP) here in northern Ohio. They – along with their owners, Paul and Katie Svasta of Canfield – bring comfort to members of all branches of the military who deploy from or return to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. The dogs are also welcome at family days at the air base.

Paul and Katie Svasta with Bree and Shasta

“Bree is spot on,” Paul said. “She can identify somebody who needs her. She’ll pull me over to the person, and if that person gives me the go-ahead, she’ll lean right up next to them, for
them to pet her or hug her.

“It breaks the tension, the anxiety. That unconditional connection,” he said. “It’s rewarding, that something so simple can give so much comfort.”

Paul and Katie began acclimating Bree to therapy work five years ago, when she was a puppy, so she’s the pro of the pair. Shane got a slow start because pandemic protocols interrupted the conditioning all therapy dogs go through. “But he’s coming along,” Paul said affectionately.

The animal visitation program has been operating at the Youngstown base, which hosts the 910th Airlift Wing, for a number of years. The Svastas are part of a team of more than three dozen handlers and their dogs who attend events there.

Red Cross volunteer Kate Mazzolini and Sully

Recently, Jessica Tischler, manager of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces in northern Ohio expanded the visitation program to send canine therapy teams into the northeast Ohio VA healthcare system, to lift the spirits of hospitalized veterans.

“We’re so grateful that our volunteers are willing to share the love these animals offer during their visits,” Jessica said. Now she’s looking to make contact with more dog owners who already have therapy experience, as the Svastas did.

The Red Cross has been training and dispatching therapy dogs into military hospitals to comfort wounded warriors and veterans undergoing treatment since shortly after World War II.

Red Cross volunteer Michael Falatach and Macee

At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Jen O’Keefe and her Leonberger (“They were bred to look like lions.”) Digory carry on the tradition. Digory is a three-legged cancer survivor, so he’s a uniquely positive presence, especially for amputees.

“We (Digory and I) can’t fix people, but we can help lift the anxiety, the stress, for patients, their families – and for the staff,” she said. “The staff is a huge part of our job.

“For me, this is the highlight of my week,” she said. “This is how I de-stress from my job as an emergency veterinarian. I don’t often get to bring good news, but with Digory, I know we’re welcome.”

If you’d like more information about the animal visitation program or any of the other volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross, go to redcross.org/volunteer.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross volunteer