The American Red Cross was started in 1881 by Clara Barton, who became nationally known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” due to her efforts to assist the military during times of conflict and peace.

At age 60, she risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers on the field during The Civil War. During her tenure, the organization conducted its first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts and aided the U.S. military during the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Since that time and in an ever-changing role, the American Red Cross has offered service to military personnel and their families. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have involved not only the active duty component of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard but the “call up” and deployment of National Guard and Reserve forces. Many of those called up include our co-workers, family members, friends and neighbors.

The Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) department of the Red Cross is dedicated to serving members of the United States Armed Forces and their family members. Locally, staff and volunteers are available 24/7 to route emergency calls from family to deployed service personnel and send “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” packets which explain the local programs and how to access them.

Accordingly, the Red Cross has announced a new program to honor the specific sacrifices made by employees and family members of the Red Cross “family” who are responding to our nation's call to duty through “The American Red Cross Blue Star Program.”

SAF national headquarters will post two specially designed flags as a permanent memorial in our SAF Communications Center at Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C. A “Blue Star Banner Corporate Flag” and a “Blue Star Service Banner” will be displayed with accompanying “Scrolls of Honor,” listing the names of these service members to recognize and honor the service of our co-workers and family members.

The tradition of placing a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a family's home who has a son or daughter in the Armed Forces dates back to World War I. The Blue Star Banner Corporate Flag is used by government and corporations to show support for employees called to active duty with their Reserve or National Guard unit.

A “Blue Star Service Banner” displayed in a home lets others know that someone in that family is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's an American tradition dating back to 1917 during the WWI. Each blue star represents one family member serving in the armed forces, with up to five possible.

The American Red Cross is proud of its employees who are members of Reserve or National Guard units and have been called to full-time active duty to serve their country as a part of “Operation Enduring Freedom” in Afghanistan or “Operation Iraqi Freedom” in Iraq.

If you know of someone #- a present or past deployed Red Cross employees and active duty members of the Red Cross family who are employees or volunteers who should be recognized - contact the chapter at 252-9596 or chapter@ccredcross.org to complete an Information Request Form to provide the necessary information for a person to be honored. Employee and family member names will be posted for the duration of the service member's service. Information must be transferred to NHQ by June 27. There will be an unveiling ceremony in the SAF Communications Center, Washington, D.C. July 2.

Community members may also purchase “Gifts From the Homefront,” which allows service members to purchase items at PX and BX facilities around the world. Certificates can be purchased from The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and addressed to a specific service member. Certificates may also can be purchased and addressed to “any service member” and sent to the National Red Cross for distribution. To purchase a gift certificate, log on to www.aafes.com or call (877) 770-4438. “Gifts from the Homefront” is a safe alternative to traditional care packages that place unnecessary strain on the military mail system or jeopardize security. The American Red Cross distributes the gift certificates through its Armed Forces Emergency Services staff members who are deployed around the world.

Susan Marteney is executive director of the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross.