Blood for the troops
Posted On: Thursday, May. 22 2008 05:23 AM
By Candace Birkelbach
Killeen Daily HeraldIt was Spc. Jeremy Cruze's first day at Fort Hood, but he took the time to donate blood that will help soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Others came out Wednesday for their own reasons to participate in Clear Creek Elementary School's annual blood drive.
Cruze said he visited the Killeen school because the blood is going to help troops in Iraq.
"When I go (to Iraq), I'd like to know people are helping me, too," Cruze said.
Clear Creek hosts the blood drive each year because nearly every student has a connection to the military.
"We're all military, and this is a chance to give back to the troops protecting us," counselor Margaret Morris said.
Morris said the blood drive benefits the community and school because the blood is going directly to Iraq, where many students' parents are now.
"It's good for the community because they understand we're all in this together, and it's time to give back," Morris said.
"Almost all the children in my kindergarten class have had at least one parent deployed to Iraq," teacher Sharon Douglas said.
Douglas said the school must take care of the physical and emotional needs (in addition to the educational needs) of children who are dealing with deployments.
Douglas said she has a daughter in the Air Force and has other children who have served in the military. She said she gives blood as often as she can because it's a great opportunity to help the troops.
The blood is tested at Robinson Blood Center on Fort Hood before it is sent to Iraq, said Perry Jefferies, blood donor recruiter. It should arrive in Iraq by next Wednesday or Thursday.
"And most of that blood goes right into soldiers," Jefferies said.
Jefferies said the Clear Creek blood drive will help the Robertson Blood Center by collecting extra donations before the long Memorial Day weekend and by providing an opportunity to educate the public.
Contact Candace Birkelbach at
candaceb@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7553.