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
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