Resolution recognizes Red Cross Published Feb. 14, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- A congressional resolution was made to the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the American Red Cross's work for service members, their families and eligible civilians. The resolution read by Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas to the congressional body was, according to Tom Smith, ARC station manager at Spangdahlem Air Base, this was an exciting event. "To me, it means the work we do, does not go unnoticed by our elected officials," he said. "It makes me proud that I am associated with the Red Cross and more specifically with a department that serves and supports the U.S. Armed Forces around the world. "It is not a common occurrence for a member of Congress to address the U.S. Congress while in session and speak of the Red Cross, which is a non-governmental agency, so openly," Mr. Smith said. "This means that we have the direct support from members of Congress." A Congressional Mandate in 1905 began the ARC mission of providing emergency communication between servicemebers and their families; a role the ARC continues to fill. This base is one of 58 military installations across the globe that has an ARC office assigned to support its military, dependents and civilian personnel. The Spangdahlem office services all NATO installations outside of Germany on the mainland of Europe, and all communities under Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. All of this is done by two paid staff members, 11 leader volunteers and 85 supporting volunteers in the community. "We are always seeking volunteers within the community," Mr. Smith said. "The ARC office at Bitburg is in need of help. In addition, our volunteers assist at the medical facilities, schools, library, tax office, post offices and other areas." Services provided by the ARC overseas vary from those offered in the states. Here the ARC staff and volunteers teach the health and safety programs, whereas in the states, the instructors are not from the military base. "We also are able to provide disaster assistance when needed to the military members and their families and of course can work directly with the installation in the time of a local on base disaster or the host nation Red Cross for a disaster in which our military members are involved off the installation," Mr. Smith said. In addition to providing notifications and training, the Spagndhalem ARC office offers local programs. "I think the most significant program we have here is the Operation Open Arms," Mr. Smith said. "This program provides snack bags to our service members passing though the base and our own personnel being deployed downrange." Since it's inception, in May 2005, more than 12,000 snack bags have been passed out. The program managed by ARC volunteers has been assisted by community members. "The money for support of the Operation Open Arms program comes from community organizations, like the OCSC, SSEMS and others," Mr. Smith said. Additional items are often are donated by the vendors through the local DECA stores. The ARC office here is in the process of relocating to better serve its customer base. For more information about the Spangdahlem ARC or volunteer opportunities, call 452-5244.