Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Angel Martinez-Navedo | 1st Area Medical Laboratory members Sgt. Natasha Sims, with the mask, and Pfc. Dillon...... read more read more
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Members from the 1st Area Medical Lab, a subordinate unit from the 20th CBRNE Command, along with representatives of state and local agencies, took time of their schedules to attend the 5th Grade Patriot Program Assembly at the Churchville Elementary School in Harford County, Maryland on May 24.
The Patriot Program is designed to help students learn about their country, patriotism, national and state geography, and government, while developing a sense of appreciation for American history.
Student participation in the program is voluntary, but those who join must complete requirements such as learning Maryland historical facts, U.S. flag etiquette and provide community service.
The keynote speaker for the event was Col. Laura Elliott, 1st AML commander, and she was accompanied by Sgt. Natasha Sims and Pfc. Dillon Gordon, also from 1st AML.
Elliott emphasized to the children that everyone and anyone can be a patriot, but that her most patriotic moment was when she went on a humanitarian mission to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
"It was a mess, with buildings collapsed and roads blocked," Elliott said to the children. "I was serving my country by helping another country, and it was very gratifying to see everything going back to normal little by little and street by street."
Gordon, a lab technician for the Army's only deployable laboratory, expressed his concern that children often think of them as evil due to the skin-piercing needles they carry most of the time.
"You guys think we are the bad guys," said Gordon jesting with the students. "But we are just trying to keep you safe by drawing your blood."
On the other hand, Sims, who by the way came dress in full tactical gear including a gas mask, talked about her deciding to join the military at the young age of 17 and what she is doing now as the food inspector for the AML.
"Food inspectors check the food for all Soldiers, family members, and DOD civilians on post," said Sims. "We check to make sure that food is handled, prepared, cooked, stored, and served properly to keep harmful bacteria from growing. That way we make sure you don't get sick and have to see him," she said in jest while pointing at Gordon.
After the ceremony, guests, students and teachers gathered in the school cafeteria for a reception where they interact directly with the children in a less formal way.
"I was honored to participate in such an outstanding program and it was great to see their projects," said Elliott. "They showed how much time and effort they put into earning the title of Patriot."
| Date Taken: | 05.24.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2017 19:55 |
| Story ID: | 235529 |
| Location: | CHURCHVILLE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US |
| Hometown: | CHURCHVILLE, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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