Courtesy Photo | Blood donors like Cpl. Ismael Gomez, a supply clerk with Supply Company, 1st...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Lance Cpl. Alfred Lopez
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division hosted an Armed Services Blood Program sponsored blood drive and health fair at the 33 Area Fitness Center, Feb. 14.
Marines and volunteers sacrificed their time to donate blood needed by doctors and corpsmen for the wounded and ill of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“All of the blood we collect here stays within the military,” said Caesar Fontanilla, administrative supporter of the Armed Services Blood Program. “The first shipment of blood goes out to Afghanistan, and the rest trickles down to surrounding military hospitals in the area.”
ASBP mission is to provide quality blood products for service members and their families, during both peace and wartime. The program has provided over 50 years of service to military members and their families. The program has supported the Army, Navy, and Air Force in major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.
“The mission itself is self-fulfilling,” said Fontanilla. “A majority of our crew are civilians and a lot of them are family members. It’s a great feeling for them knowing not only is their partner or spouse out there serving the country, but also knowing they themselves are supporting their loved ones by what they’re doing.”
“I’m very proud of this. I’m glad to help out,” said Sgt. Eric Justus, the blood drive and health fair coordinator. “I believe very strongly that if you can’t be there directly to help out the fight, then you should do everything in your power to help those service members. We all have a part.”
Representatives from Marine Family Team Building and Semper Fit Counseling Services also came out to support the health fair.
“It’s extremely important for us to come out and promote a healthier lifestyle for the Marines,” said Cristina McDonough, a Semper Fit health promotion coordinator. “Marines are paid athletes. They have to keep their body fat down, they have to be prepared for any unit obligations, whether it’s deployment, combat readiness or anything that has to do with going out in the field.”
Marines, donors and volunteers continued their day with a sense of fulfillment, and also a better sense and understanding of their health and nutrition.
“Everybody should do it, its effortless and only takes a little bit of your time,” said Cpl. Huy Huynh, a blood donor and technical network specialist with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion. “I’ve been donating for the past few years and I usually donate every two months. It’s just another way for me to give back.”
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2011 17:10 |
| Story ID: | 65957 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1st Marine Division hosts blood drive, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT