Honoring and Supporting Veterans and Military Families

Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

by Terry Stigdon, CEO American Red Cross Indiana Region

This Veterans Day, the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross celebrates all veterans and active-duty service members. We’re grateful to the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our country and our freedoms, and we work to uplift service members, veterans and military families not just today, but every day.

The Red Cross mission was born on the battlefield through Clara Barton’s care for Civil War soldiers. Through our Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, we provide a continuum of care from enlistment to navigating life as a veteran. Red Cross team members are often the first faces new service members see after they take their Oath of Enlistment, and we share information about our programs and resources, so they know we’re here when they need support.

The Red Cross is the only organization congressionally chartered to provide emergency communications between active-duty military personnel and their families during personal emergencies. Our Hero Care Network operates 24/7 and allows families to connect during major life moments like the birth of a child or the death of a family member. When days, hours and minutes matter, the Red Cross helps make a trusted connection.

In the last year, the Red Cross supported more than 1.7 million active duty service members, veterans, and their families—both across the country and around the world. This incredible impact was made possible by our dedicated network of volunteers and our global presence on over 380 military installations and deployment sites worldwide. Beyond sharing emergency communications messages, we provide financial assistance, connect veterans and families to critical community services and more. We are committed to supporting their whole health through free, confidential and professionally led workshops, such as Psychological First Aid, Reconnection and Mind-Body programs that provide tools to manage stress, strengthen communication and navigate life transitions. Through our Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, those who care for our nation’s injured and veterans, many of whom are veterans themselves, can find a support network, increase their sense of hope and further develop their knowledge and skills.

Here at home, more than 315,000 veterans are living in the Indiana Region. Our Service to the Armed Forces team meets veterans through Coffee Connect events, supports local Veteran Stand Down events, provides comfort kits to homeless or at-risk veterans, and trains SAF Deployment Team members who provide emergency communications and boost morale on military units overseas.

With a heart for service, many military members and veterans continue their legacy by helping others through the Red Cross. In the Indiana Region, 204 active service members and veterans give back to their communities as Red Crossers. They bring unique experience and skills, making our teams stronger and our work in the community more impactful.

As we recognize veterans, active-duty military members and their families this month, we are thankful for their sacrifices and dedication to serving our country.

Visit RedCross.org/SAF to learn more about our Service to the Armed Forces or become a volunteer. Download the free Hero Care App in the App Store to access vital emergency and non-emergency resources for military members, veterans and military families.