Naval Medical Logistics Command’s Social Committee Supports Esprit De Corps

Photo By Julius Evans | Cmdr. Steve Aboona, Commander, Naval Medical Logistics Command, congratulates Letitia 'Tish' Shirey who entered the overall winner, the Loaded Baked Potato Soup. Command Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Patrick West and Cmdr. Matthew Marcinkiewicz, NMLC's Deputy Commander were on the selection committee in determining the winning entry.  

FREDERICK, MD, UNITED STATES

03.26.2019

Story by Julius Evans 

Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA

Naval Medical Logistics Command’s social committee hosted a soup contest on Mar. 26, further building comradery among its workforce. Stationed at Fort Detrick, Md., and headed by Cmdr. Steve Aboona, NMLC is DoD’s premier medical logistics support activity.

But who can manage the complex aspects of medical logistics without a good bowl of soup? Members of the social committee routinely host morale boosting functions throughout the year that ultimately contribute to the overall well-being of command personnel.

“Participating with the NMLC social committee allows me to interact with members of our command and others throughout the workplace facility to promote the enjoyable events that are sponsored throughout the year, such as Ice Cream Socials, Fun Days and Holiday Parties,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Robin Peskin, NMLC’s Assistant Security Officer. “Because we host many of our functions in shared spaces in the building, I believe that when members from other activities witness our command personnel participating in these varied events, they are encouraged to have more of their own command functions for their units.”

Another representative agreed that the morale of the command always gets a boost when the social committee sponsors events throughout the year.

“I enjoy giving back to my command and team. Plus I’m proud to share a bit of my culture and background through the foods I bring in from home,” said Marilisse Gonzalez, NMLC’s Services Requirements Review Board Program Manager. “Also, by having such active participation by the command's leadership, that validates the command’s support for the social committee. These events boost the morale of command personnel and fosters a sense of comradery. We are all part of one team.”

NMLC’s Deputy Commander, Cmdr. Matthew Marcinkiewicz, agreed with Gonzalez when he commented on the entries. “All the soups entered were delicious; however, some were outstanding.” Soup varieties entered included Frontier Chowder, Escarole Soup, Guinness Stew, Taco Soup, Chicken Soup with Rice, Tomato Soup and even Crab Soup.

While all the soups entered were good, the winners of the day were a Sausage and Potato Soup which netted the second place award prepared by Bobby Hill of the Logistics Business Solutions directorate. The overall winner was the Loaded Baked Potato Soup entered by Letitia Shirey of the Acquisition and Analytics Directorate. Her entry wowed the judges and was named the best soup of the day.

“I entered because I wanted to be more involved with NMLC family life, since I am celebrating my sixth year at the command. I was pretty shocked and excited to win, though my husband wasn’t,” Shirey said. “I sampled all the other soups, stew and chowders and I liked them all. But the Escarole made by Lorraine Weatherman and the Taco Soup made by Jennifer Love really made me think, ‘WOW, I need those recipes.’”

Congratulations to all the participants and to everyone who took the time to prepare and bring in a dish for the competition. While NMLC's mission is to deliver patient-centered logistics readiness solutions for military medicine, its workforce still believes that the best medicine is a good bowl of soup.

• Date Taken: 03.26.2019
• Date Posted: 04.01.2019 12:03
• Story ID: 316402
• Location: FREDERICK, MD, US
• Hometown: FREDERICK, MD, US