Armed Forces Information

The American Red Cross is the only organization that is allowed to aid local families in communicating with their loved ones in the military in emergency situations. The Red Cross provides a vital communication lifeline between military service members and their families.

Whether it is a family crisis, a death in the family, a financial emergency, or a joyous birth, the American Red Cross can relay the information to service members stationed anywhere in the world. The Red Cross is uniquely equipped with the latest technology to provide an exclusive, around-the-clock 24 Hour communications and emergency support network. For the American soldier and his or her family, the Red Cross is the connection to home.

Our Service to the Armed Forces program is available 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

What You Should Have When You Call

Please have the following information in hand when you call, as it will greatly help us deliver the message to the service member in the fastest manner. (If you do not have this information, we may still be able to locate and deliver the message, but it will take more time).

Service Member's:

• Social Security Number
• Full Military Address (Unit Number, Battalion, etc.) 
• Date of Birth 
• Doctor/Hospital/Funeral Home's name, location, and phone number, with alternate numbers if possible. We will need to verify the situation with the Doctor/Caretaker directly.

International Family Tracing

Armed conflict and natural disaster leave millions of people around the globe in urgent need of humanitarian assistance every year. Red Cross Tracing Services and Red Cross Messages help families locate each other, send communication, and learn each other's fate. Tracing loved ones can take a long time; nevertheless, families need closure.

Holocaust Tracing Program

As part of our tracing services, the American Red Cross established the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center, a national clearing house for United States residents seeking the fates of loved ones missing since World War II and its aftermath. If you are one of these survivors, the American Red Cross can help.

All of our tracing services are confidential and free of charge.

Tracing assistance is provided to people in the community who have been separated from their relatives (citizens of other countries) as a result of war, civil disturbances, natural disaster, or changing world conditions over which the individual has no control. Tracing services for victims of war have their foundation in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.

Red Cross Messages are written messages sent between prisoners of war and their relatives through Red Cross channels, usually when no other communication is possible. Red Cross Message service may also be available to civilian victims of war, especially when postal services have completely collapsed.

Volunteers Welcome

We provide training for those interested in being on call to help provide this vital emergency communication. Please call the office for further details.