On the other side of the world in Afghanistan, U.S. Marine Bryan Findling was serving his country. Back home in Milwaukee, Glen Giering, his father, was fighting for his life. When the doctors told Donna Giering that her husband’s days were numbered, she contacted the Red Cross to bring her family together.

“My husband was a Marine,” explains Donna. “When I contacted the Red Cross, I knew they would be able to help.”

A Red Cross caseworker was able to contact Bryan’s chain of command regarding the Gierings’ situation. When Bryan received the message, he quickly flew home to be with his sick father and say good bye.

As Bryan assisted his mother with funeral preparations, he realized he would have to turn to the Red Cross one more time. Bryan called the Red Cross to ask that a caseworker contact his unit about an extension of his leave so he could attend the ceremony. Because of his mother’s initial call, confirmation of his extension request came very quickly. He could be home for the funeral. The extra time and support was a blessing his mother could only hope for.

“Our family is thankful for the Red Cross and the services it provides. If it wasn’t for the Red Cross, I don’t think we would have been able to get Bryan home during this difficult time,” Donna says.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.