Military

The American Red Cross, Rio Colorado Chapter, encourages military personnel and their families to register with the local Red Cross Chapter, now, before there is an emergency. As a result of Operation Desert Storm, the Red Cross realized the importance of a program that focuses on educating service members and their families about Red Cross services. The "Get to Know us Before You Need Us" program was developed to ensure families were ready for deployment and aware of Red Cross services. The Rio Colorado Red Cross Chapter will brief departing service members and their families regarding available support services and explain how the Red Cross may assist them during the deployment. Both active duty and reserve units can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families back home, 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world. Access to financial assistance and counseling is also available through the Red Cross. "Military life has enough challenges without worrying about how your family will contact you in an emergency – especially in times of conflict. We want to ensure that families and service members have information and contact numbers in case they need the Red Cross," said Pat Curry, Director for the Rio Colorado Chapter. If you are a military family and would like to register before an emergency happens, or, if you would like more information, call the Red Cross at (979)245-3056 or go to the Red Cross office located at: American Red Cross - Rio Colorado Chapter 2200 7th Street 1st floor, West Wing Bay City, Texas 77414 When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member in the military, please have the following information ready: Service member's full name Rank/Rating Branch of service Social Security number Military address where deployed Home base unit



		Rio Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross *Serving Matagorda, Wharton, Colorado, & Fayette Counties* 2200 7th Street Bay City TX, 77414 (979) 245-3056, email: chapter@riocoloradoarc.org


			Highly Performing Chapter for 3 years

BLUE STAR MOTHERS MEETING

The Rio Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a planning meeting on June 17, 2008 to discuss
forming a Blue Star Mothers Chapter here in Matagorda County. Blue Star Mothers are mothers who now, or have
had, children serving in the military. Members hang blue star banners in their windows designating their children are
now serving in the armed forces. The blue star stands for hope and pride in their children and our country. The blue
star banner will have a star for each child serving.

The thoughts of the Blue Star Mothers are with their children every day, no matter where their children serve. They
join together as members in Blue Star Chapters to share their fears, tears, joys, and hopes while their children are
away and finally, they are there to rejoice and to shower them with love when they return safely. Blue Star Mothers are
also source of support and strength for the tough times when a loved one returns injured or does not return.

This meeting will be held at 1st Baptist Church at 2321 Avenue F in Bay City, in the in the Christian Life Center
(Parlor) at 7:00 p.m. All family members are encouraged to attend. If you do not have a son or daughter in the military
but would like to help with this effort, please know we would love to have you join us.

You can contact the Rio Colorado Chapter office for questions at (979) 245-3056.

We hope to see you on June 17, 2008 at 7:00p.m. 1st Baptist Church, Bay City.