American Red Cross

Special Section: Combined Federal Campaign 2009

Local Red Cross Responds to Military Family in an Emergency

By Rob Shapiro
Public Relations Director, American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia

The birth of a child is an exciting, wonderful time, filled with the support of family and friends. However, for those who serve in our military, this special occasion can be filled with anxiety and fear since these families are frequently separated and not able to be together during this incredibly important time in their lives.

For Heather and Spc. McKinley Manning, this situation became their reality when Manning, who is in the Army and stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas, and Heather, who was at home in Portsmouth, found themselves facing difficult circumstances.

Alone with her 19-month old son, Jacob, Heather was packing up the household to move to Texas to join Manning. Unfortunately, she learned on July 1, when she was just over 38 weeks pregnant, that the baby was breech and she would need to have a cesarean-section before the 39th week of her pregnancy. With no family nearby to help her through this very scary, traumatic experience, or to provide care for Jacob, a nurse at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth suggested Heather contact the American Red Cross to request assistance in getting Manning back home to be with her.

When a caseworker with the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces (SAF) office in Norfolk was notified by Heather on July 2 about the emergency, the process of reuniting the couple began immediately. Because the Red Cross can quickly verify the situation and relay an emergency leave request to the proper military authorities, Manning arrived home at 1 a.m. on July 8.

That same morning, they went to the hospital at 7 a.m. and the baby was safely delivered at 11 a.m. Happily for this military family, Manning was there for the birth of their child and was able to stay and help out with Jacob for several more days before returning to Fort Bliss. The couple, when asked about their Red Cross experience during the stressful days leading up to the birth of their child, stated that it was a relief to know the Red Cross was there to help them during this time.

Helping couples like Heather and Manning overcome what may appear to be an impossible situation during a family emergency is just one of the many ways that the American Red Cross helps our military personnel 24/7. And for more then a century, we have provided services to members of the United States military and their families – a noble tradition started by the organization’s founder Clara Barton during the Civil War. Today, the Red Cross uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver urgent messages and help coordinate hardship leave, access financial assistance and provide information referrals and counseling. We are happy to proclaim to all of our military personnel and families that we proudly serve, with the help of your American Red Cross, “You’re never out of touch – around the clock and around the world.”

To support the American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia, designate CFC # 86637.