Video message program links troops and families

E-mails and letters from home mean a lot to soldiers in war zones.

Care packages make them smile, too.

But sometimes what they miss the most is seeing their family and friends.

The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross, along with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems and Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, have tried to alleviate that longing by helping local residents send video greetings to troops.

The program, called "Heralds to our Heroes," set up a video imaging system at the mall that would record messages free of charge and then send them via e-mail to soldiers. The equipment is usually housed at the American Red Cross office, but MedAssets volunteers manned the equipment in a public location so that more people would have an opportunity to send greetings and learn that the option was available.

Gerard Essner of New Hamburg was deployed to Iraq Feb. 29. It is his family's first Christmas without him and his children, Ashley, Abby and Zach, took a turn at the mall station to share a message with their father.

"It's different not having him here at Christmas," said Zach, 13.

"It is different," said Ashley, 17. "But you have to not let it bother you."

Paula Dohogne of Oran sent a video message to her nephew, Jeremy, 22. Although it was her first time sending a video message, Dohogne had no problem coming up with information to share.

"I told him about the expected snow, that we missed him at Thanksgiving and the most recent family birthday party," she said. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of him."

The eight MedAssets employees connected with the Red Cross through a company program called Heat and Soul. Through the program, employees receive compensation equal to their typical wage for working with charitable organizations.

"It's a chance for us to give back to the community," administrative assistant Andrea Dunger said.

But greetings aren't recorded only at the holidays, said Red Cross development specialist Amanda Lincoln.

"We encourage people to take advantage of this and stay in touch with their loved ones and friends in the military," Lincoln said.

To send a message, contact the American Red Cross offices at 335-9471. Linda Blumenberg, Red Cross emergency services support staff, takes care of recording and sending the video messages.

"She is so skilled at making families feel at ease," Lincoln said.

An accurate e-mail address for the soldier is required to send the message and there is a two minute time limit.

"Our chapter is proud to provide this service to Southeast Missouri," said Mary Burton, executive director of the local Red Cross. "We know 'Heralds to our Heroes' will bring comfort to our troops and their families."

And Dohogne, who communicates with her nephew in Iraq, knows what that comfort feels like.

"When he's not e-mailing back I can go down to the Red Cross on my lunch hour and tell him to e-mail me so I can quit worrying," she said.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133