April is the Month of the Military Child and is the perfect opportunity to showcase the work behind our Service to Armed Forces department and the people doing that work. This month, we celebrate veterans, active military members, their families and, more importantly, their children.

While we can showcase several staff and volunteers at this time, we want to highlight Ivan Sterpin, Service to Armed Forces and International Services director. Ivan is a retired Master Sergeant who has served in the United States Air Force for over 20 years. His military career has taken him to numerous countries around the world.

"As an active-duty service member, I faced eight deployments away from my family. Saying goodbye never got easier, and each time, I grappled with the fear of being forgotten," said Ivan.

Ivan's role with the Red Cross is to meet the needs of military members, veterans, and their families. He leads various volunteer teams that support veterans across the region to ensure they are familiar with the services that the Red Cross provides. He is also responsible for directing the International Humanitarian Law, Youth Action Campaign, and Restoring Family Links programs.

When speaking about his children, he said, "My daughters' pictures, which adorned my work and living space, kept me focused. Every call home was a reminder of why we serve. Returning home, feeling their embrace, seeing the joy in their face, always renewed my soul." Not only was being away difficult for Ivan, but it is also difficult for thousands of military families and children across the country.

"While absence meant missing out on daily rituals like homework help or soccer practice, I always marveled at their resilience. My daughters were skilled at treasuring the times when we were together and would step up to help in the house when apart. Military children epitomize strength in separation," Ivan emphasized.

All month long, we celebrate the courage, perseverance and tenacity demonstrated by our military-connected children, youth and teens and what they mean to our community. In honor of Ivan, his daughters, all other military members, and their children, we want to thank them for their service and strength.

For more information about how the Red Cross supports military members, veterans and their families, visit redcross.org/SAF.

Written by Dariana Molina, American Red Cross