Red Cross Celebrates 131st Birthday

By Spc. Alexander NeelyMay 25, 2012

Red Cross Celebrates 131st Birthday
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Richard A. Caya, director of installation support for Army Supply Group, and Jason Ramlow, station manager at Red Cross, Camp Arifjan, cut the birthday cake. The American Red Cross' 131st birthday was attended by an estimated 40 guests at C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Red Cross Celebrates 131st Birthday
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Richard A. Caya, director of installation support for Army Supply Group, Camp Arifjan - Kuwait, along with Jason Ramlow, station manager at Red Cross, Camp Arifjan, gave a speech to party guests. The American Red Cross' 131st birthday was at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Red Cross Celebrates 131st Birthday
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Red Cross Celebrates 131st Birthday
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The four-person staff at Red Cross, Camp Arifjan welcomed an estimated

40 guests with cake, punch, snacks and free giveaways.

"This is a very special day for us and the Red Cross, and as everyone knows we have a great four-person team who supports our soldiers here," said Lt. Col. Richard A. Caya, director of installation support for Army Supply Group, Camp Afrifjan - Kuwait. "They provide an overall nice place for people to come, decompress and enjoy yourself."

Air Force veteran Jason Ramlow, station manager at the American Red Cross, Camp Arifjan, said he understands the importance of a service member's comfort during deployment.

"It's a great feeling when you are down-range and you can see people coming in that are talking to people over the phone and you can see a difference that our service makes to the individuals," said Ramlow. "My four-member team is just happy to be here to serve the military members and the U.S. affiliated civilians who are assigned here."

The American Red Cross, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait provides service members and U.S. affiliated civilians with accessible, expedient communication with families at home. Additionally, the office hands out 500-minute calling cards, provides dog visits and most recently a gift package for new parents.

Since Clara Brown founded the American Red Cross in 1881, the more than half a million volunteers and 35,000 have been supporting military members and their families by not only solidifying social services for military members and their families but aiding in the military's ability to sustain the fight.