NATIONAL GUARD HONORED AT RED CROSS ANNUAL MEETING
The partnership between the United States Armed Forces and the American Red
Cross was the theme of the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Granite Chapter of the Red
Cross.
The keynote speaker at the meeting was Colonel Donald R. Dupuis, Manpower and
Personnel Officer for the NH National Guard, with oversight to Air Guard
Personnel, Army Guard Personnel and the Human Resources Office. In introducing
Col. Dupuis, Tim Murray, Regional Executive Director for the NH Region of the
Red Cross, cited the colonel’s decorated military career and the military
tradition in generations of his family.
Through Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces (SAF), both active duty and
community-based military personnel count on the Red Cross to provide emergency
communications linking them with their families back home; access to financial
assistance; counseling during tough times; and assistance to veterans. Prior to
deployment, Red Cross workers brief departing service members and their families
about available support services, and how the Red Cross can assist them during
deployment. Red Cross SAF personnel form a global network with more than 700
U.S. chapters and 58 military installations worldwide.
While providing service to 1.4 million active duty military personnel and their
families, the Red Cross also reaches out to more than 1.2 million members the
National Guard and Reserves and their families, including those with the New
Hampshire National Guard, according to Murray.
Dupuis spoke at the meeting about the essential role that the Red Cross plays in
connecting deployed service personnel with their families during crises, and the
important work with returning members and their families who often face
difficult adjustments to civilian life.
More information about the SAF program is available from the Granite Chapter at
1-800-464-6692. PHOTO:
Tim Murray (left) welcomed
Col. Donald Dupuis to the Granite
Chapter for the 2008 Annual Meeting.
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