Photo By Arlen Caplan | The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research hosted a carnival to celebrate Organization...... read more read more
SILVER SPRING, Md. – Organization Day (O-Day) kicked off on Aug. 20 at WRAIR’s Daniel K. Inouye Building, after being relocated due to inclement weather.
“O-Day is one of the many traditions in the Army where units, companies, battalions, brigades get together and build on the esprit de corps and the morale for the unit,” Staff Sgt. Jessica Prewitt, NCOIC, Blast Induced Neurotrauma, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection and Medical Readiness Systems Biology, said.
This year’s event was open to Soldiers and civilians and featured a face painter, fortune telling booth, photo booth, individuals dressed in tiger and clown costumes and games, such as cards and checkers. There was also food galore, including, a barbecue lunch, popcorn and cotton candy and a Dessert War competition. Many took a break from the office and interacted with colleagues in a relaxed setting, which was something that O-Day planners had hoped for.
“It’s just nice to get out and see people who you haven’t seen in a while,” said Capt. Jennifer Burns, military deputy, Pilot Bioproduction Facility. “Whether it’s just having a chat and saying hi or engaging in some good old competition and trash talking, at the end of the day we’re doing it for the organization, for everyone to come together, enjoy each other and show appreciation for each and every one of the people that work at WRAIR.”
WRAIR’s last O-Day was downsized to a lunch in the auditorium due to the coronavirus pandemic and the 2019 O-Day was held at Fort Meade.
“It’s the first O-Day since a lot of the major restrictions have been lifted,” Capt. Shanee Allen, HHC Commander said. “I think just the fact that it’s coming off the cusp of a time where a lot of people were isolated and not getting to spend time with other people is what makes this unique and very important, more so than any other O-Day ever.”
No carnival would be complete without some sweet treats, which is where the Dessert War came into play. Capt. Richard Kevorkian, Deputy Chief of Wound Infection Research, Center for Military Infectious Disease Research, took the top prize with his “corona-cake,” a dome-shaped chocolate walnut cake that featured a neon green fondant coat and Blow Pops arranged atop it to represent spike proteins.
In the past, O-Day has brought WRAIR soldiers and staff together like a family and this year’s event seemed to live up to expectations.
“In my two years here at WRAIR, I’ve come to think of it as a family,” Cpl. Brittany Kociuba, research technician, Center for Enabling Capabilities research technician, said. “I really think it’s great to step out of our labs and interact with each other in a fun, positive way.”
| Date Taken: | 08.20.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2021 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 404808 |
| Location: | SILVER SPRING, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, WRAIR Hosts Carnival-Themed O-Day, by London Mackall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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