Military Spouse Brings Comfort and Care to Others

The American Red Cross spotlights military spouse and Red Cross employee Undine Lasater in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day

May 10^this Military Spouse Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the sacrifices and support military spouses make in their lives for our service members, their families and the military community every day. Undine Lasater's journey as a military spouse began in 2010 when she married a Major in the U.S. Army and PCSed (permanent change of station) from the Philippines to Hawaii that same year.

"The first move was really challenging. I had to get used to a different country. I had no family. And I had to put my career on pause," Undine recalls.

Over the next 13 years, Undine and their two children would move three more times and experience the deployment of her husband to Iraq. However, it was after her husband retired from the U.S. Army and took a civilian job on a base in Grafenwoehr, Germany that she found the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross provides vital comfort and care to military personnel, veterans and their families, operating on every U.S. military base stateside in addition to maintaining a global presence on more than 37 overseas offices.

"I saw a poster somewhere on base [in Germany] that the Red Cross was recruiting. I went to the career fair and that's how I began volunteering with Service to the Armed Forces."

Once Undine was acquainted with the organization her commitment only grew, progressing from a Community Outreach Lead to a Field Office Coordinator and into a full-time position as a Program Specialist with Service to the Armed Forces in 2021.

"Through my work, not only do I have the opportunity to inform our service men and women of services available to them through the Red Cross, but I also help military spouses find opportunities to create meaning during their PCS."

One highlight is connecting military spouses with career enhancement and volunteer programs like the Medical Treatment Facility and Dental Assistant Programs. In partnership with the military, these programs provide dependents with marketable training and skills.

"These programs are really meaningful. They give the spouse an opportunity to continue growing their skills and gives them something to put on their resume," she said.

Last year, Undine experienced a role reversal when she deployed with Team 52, a group of Red Cross SAF mobile staffers, to Lithuania for five months and her husband supported at home.

"As a military spouse, it's very challenging but also very exciting. Your life is in constant movement, and you need to make constant adjustments to your career. But it's exciting in the sense that you see new places and meet new people. And it's an opportunity for your children to learn new things," Undine explained.

Undine's journey from military spouse to Red Cross advocate exemplifies the strength and dedication of those who support our armed forces. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we celebrate Undine and all military spouses for their unwavering commitment and service to our nation's heroes.

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