Bud McLaughlin | The Redstone Rocket | March 16, 2022
“We Take Care of Our Own” is an anthem written by Bruce Springsteen.
Though the song is written about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, its words and emotions are reflected in the annual Army Emergency Relief giving campaign “80 years helping the U.S. Army take care of its own.”
The 2022 effort kicked off March 8 with a $100,000 goal; the campaign ends May 31.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity to participate in the opening kickoff,” Garrison Commander Col. Glenn Mellor said. “Last year, we handed out $58,000; we also gave out about $47,000 in grants and loans.”
Soldiers taking care of their own has been AER’s tradition since 1942. Team Redstone each year supports this mission of helping Soldiers and their families in times of emergency needs.
At last week’s kickoff event, Mellor, Capt. Hunter Wilson, 1st Sgt. Erika Vargas and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Juan Jimenez participated in signing the first allotment checks.
“It will take a concerted effort to get this done,” Mellor said. “We need volunteers of every unit to contact every Soldier out there.
“It’s all about Soldiers helping Soldiers.”