Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly
Chief, Army Reserve
Over the last week, we have been shocked and saddened to see the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Our thoughts and prayers go out to fellow Americans caught in the path of this natural disaster.
Army Reserve Soldiers, civilians, and their families are among those whose lives have been disrupted by Hurricane Katrina. Some have lost their homes and businesses; others may have lost their jobs; and others still may have lost family members and friends. Others have taken in family and friends in order to assist them.
Some of those most impacted by Hurricane Katrina are Soldiers currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have dispatched a team to the theater of operations to help Army Reserve Soldiers from the affected areas contact loved ones at home.
Our Warrior Ethos states ?I will never leave a fallen comrade.? We will not forget those who have suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina. I want every Soldier, every civilian employee and every family member in the affected areas to know they are not alone during this tragedy.
I encourage Army Reserve family members, Soldiers, and civilian employees affected by Hurricane Katrina to contact the Army Reserve through a newly created call center.
The toll-free number for the center is 1-877-464-9330 or from a military phone DSN 367-9330. Phones are manned 24 hours a day. Operators will take down information to aid deployed Army Reserve Soldiers in determining the status and whereabouts of their families. Also, callers will be screened to determine what other assistance they may need. The call center will have information and will help guide callers to specific resources.
In addition to the 1-877 phone number, we have established a web site where families of deployed and mobilized Army Reserve Soldiers and Army Reserve Civilians may provide their current contact information: http://www.arfp.org The web site also provides information and links to the many agencies providing specific relief to those in need.
Army Reserve Soldiers and civilians dislocated as a result of the hurricane should also call the number or log into the web site to assist us in ensuring 100% accountability for all members of the Army Reserve family.
I strongly encourage everyone in the Army Reserve family to do what they can to assist our fellow Soldiers, civilians, and their families, and our fellow citizens. Although strictly voluntary, you might consider donating to reputable charitable organizations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has developed a list of charitable organizations at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18473 and instructions on how to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Many of these organizations are also national Combined Federal Campaign charities.
The last four years have been challenging ones for many in the Army Reserve as we have responded to our Nation at war. Yet in spite of the hardships, we have overcome and met the difficulties head-on, and in the process improved our organization and the support we provide to our Army and our Nation. The courage and determination of our Soldiers cannot be washed away by floodwaters or blown away by hurricane winds. There is an old saying that ?The Army takes care of its own? ? and we shall. We will reach out to our Army Reserve Soldiers, employees and families in need. We will help them recover and rebuild their lives.
May God bless those in need today, all those participating in the relief efforts, including our Army Reserve Soldiers, Civilian employees and their families. And may God bless the United States of America.
hkat
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2005 01:56 |
| Story ID: | 2946 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
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