HONOLULU--The annual Army Emergency Relief (AER) campaign kicked off in March.
Regional Health Command-Pacific (RHC-P) is an active participant in the AER campaign which runs from March 1 through May 15, this year. The theme for this year's campaign is "Army Emergency Relief, A Legacy of Caring - 75 Years of Soldiers Helping Soldiers".
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Watson, RHC-P's senior enlisted advisor, understands the necessity of providing resources to help Soldiers and their families during times of need.
"As I reflect on my career, one area that really stands out is the outstanding resources the Army has to assist our Soldiers," explained Watson. "Every Soldier counts, and the Soldier who is distracted by financial issues will not be ready to support the mission. The Soldier's focus will be elsewhere."
AER, a private, nonprofit organization was created to help active-duty and retired Soldiers and their families when they experience financial emergencies associated with life events such as rent, home repairs, funeral expenses, vehicle repairs, health care expenses, utilities and emergency travel.
Although AER is dedicated to providing financial support when needed, the nonprofit also offers scholarships to dependents. Soldiers who make donations to AER continue the legacy of helping the Army take care of its own, and the program provides Army leaders a valuable asset in ensuring a ready source of financial assistance to Soldiers and their families.
"Many Soldiers have support systems with their immediate and extended family to help them through the tough times of their career. However, there are some Soldiers that join the service without the same support structure, having no one to turn to if they need help," explained Sgt. Ashley Whitted, an orthopedic technician. "The Army is their family and their support system."
Whitted said her first personal experience with AER shaped her viewpoint on the campaign. Within four months of moving to an overseas assignment, a young Soldier assigned to her received notification that his grandmother passed away.
After undergoing the financial burden of moving to an overseas assignment the Soldier, and his family, was not financially stable enough to pay for funeral expenses. AER supported this Soldier by providing funding for funeral expenses and transportation back home for the service. If it had not been for assistance from AER, and those who contribute to the campaign, this Soldier and his family would not have been able to lay their grandmother to rest, Whitted said.
This experience solidified Whitted's perspective, and strengthened her support of AER.
Sgt. 1st Class Nick Poitra is RHC-P's lead AER coordinator during this year's campaign. In his role, Poitra will make contact with every active-duty Soldier and civilian at the region's headquarters and headquarters company command. His goal is to raise $5000 more than in 2016.
"AER is our program and it supports our Soldiers; without us these programs cannot exist," said Watson
AER accepts donations anytime throughout the year, not just during the campaign months. Active-duty and retired Soldiers, as well as civilians, can contribute to the AER campaign. For more information or to make a donation, contact an AER representative or visit https://www.aerhq.org/.
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