Annual donor recognition ceremony highlights contributions

By U.S. ArmyFebruary 3, 2011

Tee shirt quilt
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CPT McDaniel & Ron Decker
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CPT McDaniel & Margaret VanBruggen
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CPT McDaniel & Donna Smith
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CPt McDaniel & Amanda Stairett
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CPT McDaniel & Tim Stroud
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CPT McDaniel & 36 Engineer
7 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Steven McDaniel, chief of donor center operations at the Robertson Blood Center, presents the plaque for Top Large Unit blood donations to representatives from 36 Engineer Brigade, Capt. Elizabeth Walgren and Staff Sgt. William Thompson at the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cpt McDaniel & 1SG Anderson
8 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Steven McDaniel, chief of donor center operations at the Robertson Blood Center, presents the plaque for Top Medium Unit blood donations to 1st Sgt. Charles Anderson for the Phantom Command at the Robertson Blood Center at Fort Hood, Texas on J... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
VA Ladies
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Colonel Webster
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2011 Blood Donor Recognition Ceremony
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FORT HOOD, Texas (ASBP, January 26, 2011) - The Robertson Blood Center held its annual Donor Recognition Ceremony at the military blood donor center at Fort Hood on Jan. 26, 2011, recognizing individuals and units that contributed to the program's success in 2010.

Blood donors and supporting organizations alike were honored for their efforts to support deployed troops with blood donations and by arranging blood drives. Awards and plaques of appreciation were presented to multi-gallon donors and units that provided the largest amounts of volunteer donors for their sizes.

Ret. Col. Noel Webster, former director of the blood center at Fort Hood and leader for much of the planning for the current center, was the guest speaker. He spoke about the Civil War Battle of Antietam and described how it inspired the namesake of the Robertson Blood Center, Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson, to create better ways of getting blood supplies to troops on the battlefield. Webster contrasted that with his experience in the Battle of Fallujah and the ability of the military today to treat troops near the front lines, especially due to having blood supplies available.

As part of National Blood Donor Month, Armed Services Blood Program blood donor centers worldwide host recognition ceremonies to highlight the dedicated donors, volunteers and organizations who have contributed to saving the lives of service members, veterans and their families around the globe.

"We try to say thank you to all the people that help us accomplish our mission," said Fort Hood blood donor recruiter Perry Jefferies. "Even though the Army suggests that units reward soldiers for donating blood, we want to tell all of our different donors and groups that YOU ROCK!"

In 2010, the Robertson Blood Center underwent some significant changes including new construction, a revamped blood processing and testing procedure and the debut of the Army's Center of Excellence for Apheresis Training. And even more changes are going to occur; preparations are currently underway for the center to become a hub for the frozen blood program.

Top donors from last year, Ret. Col. Joan Vanderlaan, Ret. Maj. Prosper Walker, Robert Boswell and Ronald Decker were joined this year by two new loyal donors-Former Staff Sgt. Timothy Stroud, manager of the Texas Health Science Initiative and medical sergeant with the 3-8 Infantry in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Sgt. David Leach.

Top units include the 36th Engineer Brigade and Phantom Command. Due to its frequent blood drives, the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment was once again highlighted for being the only unit on post to offer more blood donations in one year than it had soldiers assigned.

For a complete list of awardees can be found below.

The Robertson Blood Center thanks each and every donor that supported the Armed Services Blood Program last year. Thanks donors, YOU ROCK!

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to make an appointment, please visit us online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood.

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

Mr. Timothy Stroud (also 3 gallon certificate)

Mr. Ronald Decker

Mr. Robert Boswell (also 3 gallon certificate)

Mr. William Harper

Mr. David Leach

Retired Maj. Prosper Walker (also 4 gallon certificate)

Retired Col. Joan Vanderlaan (also 4-gallon certificate)

Lt. Col. Dennis Dombrowski (also 2-gallon certificate)

UNIT AWARDS

Top Large Unit: 36th Engineer Brigade

Top Medium Unit: Phantom Command

Top Small Unit: 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment

Top Brigade in 1st Cavalry Division: 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters Battalion

Top Squadron in 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment: 2d Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment

Others Unit Awardees:

American Federation of Government Employees for the Austin and Temple Veterans Affairs hospital and clinic

McGregor High School ROTC Program

Sam Houston State University Reserve Officer's Training Corps

UNIT COORDINATORS

1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment

Donna Smith

VA Hospital - Temple Texas

Adrienne Rias

VA Clinic - Austin Texas

Gloria Guzman

62d Signal

Sgt. First Class Eric Albers

62d Signal

Lt. Elizabeth Lee

31st Chemical Company

Capt. Anthony Thomas

4-5 Air Defense Artillery

Spc. Jacobus Adams

36th Engineer

Staff Sgt. William Thompson

44th Chemical Company

1st Sgt. Jonathan Conrad

McNair & Chaffee Villages

Margaret VanBruggen

Warrior Transition Unit

Staff Sgt. April Martinez

Department of Public Works

Virginia Sanders

Phantom Command

Spc. Marie Sanon

Replacement Detachment

1st Sgt. Van Woodley

The Nationwide Birthday Blood Drive!

Mrs. Kristina Hunter

PASSING THE GALLON MARK IN 2010

4 Gallon Donors:

Robert Lyon

John Sammis

3 Gallon Donors:

John Lauck Jr

Flor McKenzie

William McKiernan

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 (ret) Roy Stout

Sgt. James Vineyard

2 Gallon Donors:

John Yovanovitch

1 Gallon Donors:

Christopher Beno

James Burke

James Cowan

Gary Fisher

Gloria Guzman

William Harper

Sgt. Curtis Hunter

Christopher Johnson

Staff Sgt. Carey Killea

David Leach

Marsha Manley

Thomas Nichols

Renee O'Connell

Keith Orie

Sgt. Elvis Pena

Joshua Reed

Alfredo Rios

Richard Schroeder

Jerome Torres

Joseph Trachier

Eddie Wingler

"Friends of the Blood Bank" Awardees:

Fort Hood Herald

Fort Hood Radio

TexVet.com

Retired Col. William Shelnutt

McGregor High School ROTC Program

Capt. Erin Thomas

Amanda Rosener

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rodney Key

Master Sgt. C.J. Grisham

Mr. Roderick Marshall

Related Links:

Armed Services Blood Program

Military Blood Donors