Show preparedness ifie AMERICAN RED CROSS THE HE red cross chapters located in nearly every county in the united states perform a very important service for members of the armed forces and their dependents this is the work done by the red cross in case an emergency furlough for the service man becomes necessary while the countes coun tys red cross chapter itself cannot request these furloughs furroughs it can speed up action on them it if the family will notify the county red cross chapter immediately after the emergency arises the actual request for the furlough must be made by the service man to his commanding officer who refers it to the camp red cross field director A telegram from the field director then asks the local red cross chapter to verify information furnished by the service man if the family notifies the county red cross chapter at the same time it does the service man the red cross can get the necessary verification of facts to the camp about the same time the furlough is requested if investigations bear out the service mans story he usually gets the furlough but the county red cross chapter must report the facts if the situation is not really an emer emergency ency or if there is anything else that may make the mans return less urgent county red cross chapters also make available actual financial aid to service men and their families in emergencies if the man needs money for the trip home or if the family needs money because of the service mans absence the red cross may make it available through a loan or draft the red cross is often called to aid in cases of the birth of a child whose father is in the armed forces likewise red cross assistance si stance is available to wives of service men before and after birth of a child prepared exclusively for |