LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Two veterans are currently involved in a deployed mission to serve as support staff for active-duty service efforts in Poland and Estonia, where about 2,500 service members are stationed.
Shaun Tarkington and Troy Sonnier are part of Red Cross ‘Team 57’, providing assistance along with 19 other members in an effort to maintain communication between troops and families at home.
“Veterans help us deliver the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) mission,” says Riva Brown, Executive Director of Red Cross Serving Greater Arkansas.
“They volunteer, fill leadership positions and some even choose to deploy to remote locations in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on six-month assignments, supporting our troops in an expeditionary capacity.”
Red Cross had over 60 staff members working on assignments overseas, reaching a total of more than 8,570 in-person support days.
“It’s really rewarding to work with them,” said Air Force veteran Tarkington, who is on his third overseas deployment with the Red Cross.
“It has been one of the most rewarding jobs in my life.”
Tarkington, who is on his third overseas deployment with the Red Cross, aims to lead the charge for a potential construction of a respite center.
Compared to rest areas stateside, the conditions aren’t as favorable.
Tarkington believes soldiers would benefit from a potential upgrade of the respite centers.
“We’re building up our centers to give soldiers a place to relax,” he said. “A place to just not be sitting in their dorm rooms with all the other soldiers, and we’re giving them purpose.”
In the process of ensuring the area is prepared for future generations, service members today are lending a hand to see it come into fruition.
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