Red Cross Hero Care Mobile App

The American Red Cross has a long history of supporting military members, veterans and their families. Now, the Red Cross has launched a new, free Hero Care App to provide instant access to vital Red Cross services anywhere in the world. Whether you’re the parent of a child joining the military, a military member, spouse or a veteran, the app will guide you to valuable resources and services that can help alleviate stress and provide important information right at your fingertips. The Hero Care App highlights the extensive array of services the Red Cross has available for members of the military, veterans and their families.



 •Some the important features of the app include:
o Request Red Cross emergency services including an emergency message or assistance with emergency travel or emergency financial aid.
o Securely and easily access information about their service member in the case of an emergency, including updated information as they move or change duty assignments.
o Access non-emergency Red Cross behavioral health assistance including financial assistance and free local workshops for military kids and spouses.
o Find local resources and information provided by trusted community partners like Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Blue Star Families, Military Child Education Coalition, United Way, Goodwill, Easter Seals, and others.
o Locate information on key government resources such as MilitaryOneSource, VA Benefits and Services, Department of Labor VETS, the VA Caregiver Support Program, and SAMSHA Community Health Support Services.

  • Users can also connect with other Red Cross apps including the Emergency, First Aid and Blood apps.

 • Information in the app is available in both English and Spanish and a user can even use the app to share their own Red Cross stories and photos The Hero Care App is free of charge and available for both iOS and Android devices.

• To download to your smart phone or tablet, search for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store, text GETHEROCARE to 90999 to receive a link to download the app or go to redcross.org/apps

Join the American Red Cross in Celebrating Flag Day!

By Daniel Steffy, Intern

Many Americans fly their flags on July Fourth, to celebrate the birth of our nation. But the American flag has a holiday all its own, and it's coming up this Saturday. The idea for Flag Day is believed to date to 1885, when a school teacher named B.J. Cigrand in Freedonia, Wisconsin, celebrated a "flag birthday" on June 14th -- the 108th anniversary of the United States officially adopting the Stars and Stripes as its national flag. Cigrand promoted his idea relentlessly, and it began to catch on. By 1894, the governor of New York ordered the flag displayed on all public buildings and in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing June 14th as Flag Day. With Wilson's proclamation, Flag Day began to grow in popularity, but it wasn't until 1949 that President Harrry Truman signed an act of Congress official designating June 14th as our annual National Flag Day.
   
[Here's some more background: http://www.usflag.org/flag.day.html]

But June 14th already has special significance in American history. On that date in 1775 -- two years before it adopted the flag --  the Second Continental Congress commissioned the American Continental Army, the forerunner of our modern military. The American Red Cross has a long partnership with America's military, starting with the days when Clara Barton first led a group of nurses onto the battlefields to care for American soldiers during the Spanish-American War. The Red Cross has supported America's military through every conflict since then, as well as provided support to their families back home. The Red Cross continues to proudly serve our nation's soldiers today!

[More background: http://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/red-cross-american-history/military-partnership]

So join the Red Cross in remembering America's heroes and be sure to fly your flag this Saturday, not just to honor the flag on its birthday, but also to celebrate the men and women who have served under it throughout our nation's history. If you'd like to make a difference, check out the Red Cross service to the armed forces page: http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do/support-military-families