Bagram Airfield Red Cross Helps During Tough Times

By U.S. Army Sgt. William Begley

RC-East PAO

The American Red Cross was originally founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. She was inspired by the Nobel prize-winning work that was being done by Henry Dunant in founding the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Today, the Bagram Airfield Red Cross continues what Barton started by providing necessary services such as delivering emergency messages and comforting the American Servicemember ever since.

The major service the Red Cross provides is the delivery of an Emergency Red Cross Message. When a family member is ill or has passed away the Red Cross is vital in assisting Servicemembers in getting home. Currently, the BAF Red Cross serves as the primary hub for getting these messages to Servicemembers.

"There is only one Red Cross in all of Afghanistan so we are responsible for the entire country," said Jana Fullmer, BAF Red Cross team leader. "That means we are responsible for every Servicemember, every civilian contractor and every U.S. civilian, so it's a big job."

Fullmer, who hails from Menan, Idaho, began her eight-year career with the Red Cross by volunteering. When an opportunity for employment came up, she took it.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan- Michael Hoplight (left), Bagram American Red Cross assistant station manager, and Niagara Falls, N.Y. native, gives a phone card to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Herman Smith, a Company C, 44th Signal Battalion maintenance supervisor who hails from LaGrange, N.C. The Bagram American Red Cross provides a critical service in the form of delivering emergency service messages, and providing comfort by donating items such as phone cards and clothes. Photo: Sgt. William Begley, 11th Public Affairs Detachment

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Herman Smith, a native of LaGrange, N.C., has used the Red Cross services on two separate occasions. The Company C, 44th Signal Battalion, maintenance supervisor had his first experience after the death of his mother.

"When I was 22, my mother passed away. I didn't have a lot of money saved up. I was just a young kid," said Smith. "When the emergency came up the Red Cross helped out by getting the message to me and getting me an Army Emergency Relief loan to buy a roundtrip plane ticket home. They were there to help me out."

Fullmer has a very small team of three staff members. Michael Hoplight is the assistant station manager and a native of Niagara Falls, N.Y. Hoplight, a retired Army master sergeant, said that just doing his job gives him satisfaction.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan- A letter hanging on the wall of the Bagram Red Cross facility from a commanding officer clearly outlines the impact the Bagram Red Cross has had on a Servicemember. Photo: Sgt. William Begley, 11th Public Affairs Detachment)

"If we can help a Servicemember to feel that things back home are taken care of so that they can drive on with the mission, then I feel good about the job I've done here," said Hoplight.

The Red Cross also provides other services. Fullmer said the Red Cross is open 24 hours a day so Servicemembers can come in and enjoy the lounge which is right across the hall. There they can get a cup of hot coffee, some fresh bread or a snack, and watch a movie.
"We do events, for instance, every Wednesday Major Timmy the therapy dog comes over and troops or civilians can spend some time with him," said Fullmer. "We also have movie nights and game nights."

Fullmer added she and her staff conduct hospital visits four times a week over at Craig Joint-Theater Hospital.
"We have been able to donate sweat suits, slippers and blankets to wounded troops at the hospital," Fullmer continued.

Recently, Smith had to use the services of the Red Cross again and was able to be there for his family after his father passed away from liver cancer.

"They got the message to me in time to get me back home to my family for the funeral," said Smith. "I would say to lend your support to the American Red Cross because they are here to help us as much as they can. You can volunteer, give blood or just send a donation."

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By Alan Gray

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