By: Karen Searle

Armed Forces Day, always celebrated on the third Saturday in May, holds a special place in the heart of Red Cross Regional Service to the Armed Forces Director, William Rodebaugh iii. Before joining the Red Cross, Rodebaugh served as a Major of Infantry in the U.S. Army with multiple combat deployments under his belt, including Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as operational assignments in Uzbekistan, the Korean peninsula, and Latin America. He comes from a long line of military family members, including his father, William, who served in the Vietnam War, and his grandfather, William, who served in World War II.   

Instituted by President Harry S. Truman, Armed Forces Day is a day to celebrate all six branches of the U.S. Military.  The first Armed Forces day took place on May 20, 1950, and played an essential part in educating society about the military and the role they play in the country. John F. Kennedy declared Armed Forces day a national holiday in 1961.   

 The American Red Cross is proud to support members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families by providing financial assistance, counseling, information services, emergency communication as well as referral services to military personnel and their families.  For veterans, the Services to the Armed Forces provides support and therapy programs, as well as a program called No Veteran, Dies Alone which is a program that meets the needs of veterans by providing presence, companionship, and reassurance to dying veterans.   

There’s even a smartphone app, called the Hero Care app, for military members, veterans, or parents of a child joining the military. It’s a one stop shop to connect people to important resources that can help them through both emergency and non-emergency situations. Get the app here.

From the origins of the Civil War battlefield, the American Red Cross has been there for military members as Founder Clara Barton would bring supplies and offer support to the soldiers during battle. Barton served as President to the Red Cross until 1904.  

“I feel so passionate about what our Services to the Armed forces division does for those who are serving and those who served. I’m so lucky to lead this local effort and have the flexibility to tailor this program to our local needs, and make it as authentic and meaningful as possible,” Rodebaugh said. 

But Rodebaugh is the first to admit, he doesn’t do it alone. About 90% or the American Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers, and Rodebaugh often looks to those volunteers for support and ideas, saying they are truly the backbone of this important line of service within the Red Cross. He says he is honored to salute those serving and veterans on this Armed Forces Day, and every other day of the year as well.                               

Interested in volunteering for Service to the Armed Forces? Both in person and virtual positions area available at       https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/southeastern-pennsylvania/volunteer.html.