Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Luisito Brooks | U.S. Army Sgt. Bobby Price, a transportation Noncommissioned officer, with the 529th...... read more read more
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ARLINGTON, Va. - The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) hosted their first of nine Armed Services Blood Program Blood Drives [ASBP], Mar. 11, at the community center on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.
The blood collected from the drives will support service members who are wounded overseas.
“I think it’s truly honorable because this precious commodity really saves lives in Afghanistan and other parts of the world,” said Bobby Price, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment transportation noncommissioned officer. “Blood donated to the ASBP is a game changer because it is specifically for those guys and girls who are still fighting and are getting hurt.”
Price was one of the first soldiers to arrive to the community center for the event. He said his eagerness to give blood stemmed from his experiences of seeing the need for blood donations during his tour in Afghanistan.
“When I was deployed, I heard an announcement that there were a lot of people that got badly hurt. We were asked to give blood if we had O-positive blood,” said Price, 529th Regimental Support Company [RSC]. “I showed up with a few soldiers, and the line was very long. I will never forget that night, so now I try to give as often as possible.”
Spc. Edgar Rodriguez, who helped organize the drive, said he appreciated Price’s support and enthusiasm.
“Price is always talking about the benefits of giving blood to other soldiers,” said Rodriguez, transportation specialist, 529th RSC. “It is good to have someone who really believes in giving blood as much as he does.”
Rodriguez explained how time is of the essence when it comes to this program.
“There is always a need, and once they collect the blood it is used within a week,” he said. “The blood isn’t frozen, just sitting in a blood bank; it is taken to a lab where it is prepared to be shipped overseas.”
Price said giving blood to an organization that sends it down range is certainly a reminder that there are still Soldiers in harm’s way.
“I tell my soldiers all the time that this is an opportunity to be a part of something that’s bigger than you,” said Price. “Those are our brothers and sisters out there. I really feel as though it is part of our duty to show up to give blood to help them out.”
The last blood drive will take place Nov. 26. For more information about donating, contact Rodriguez via email at edgar.r.rodriguezsolano2mil@mail.mil or Staff Sgt. Joshua D Montgomery, ASBP Manager, at joshua.montgomery2@us.army.mil.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2013 11:58 |
| Story ID: | 103535 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VA, US |
| Hometown: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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