USS Makin Island (LHD 8) hosted an annual health fair in the ship's hangar bay, July 26, where more than 15 booths were set up to promote and inform Sailors and Marines about the various benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Makin Island's Medical Administrative Officer Lt. Sonny Shotwell, from Dayton, Texas, coordinated the event.

"The best part about the health fair is that our Sailors and Marines get to talk to experts." said Shotwell. "They can get good information from [the Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor]. They can learn about good sleep habits. They can talk to our spiritual leaders and much more. The goal of the fair is to educate our Sailors and Marines."

Makin Island Sailors and Marines turned out in force at the blood donation booth run by Naval Medical Center San Diego and the Armed Services Blood Program. The booth collected 40 units of blood during the health fair, enough to benefit up to 120 recipients, according to Doreen Rekoski, NMCSD blood donor recruiter.

"We are so grateful to the USS Makin Island for inviting us each year to participate in their annual health fair," said Rekoski. "Not only does it help us to supply units of blood for our patients and the troops overseas, we enjoy the opportunity."

Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice James Merritt, from Omaha, Nebraska, attended the health fair and said he found the information interesting and useful.

"I think it's important that we have events like this," said Merritt. "I went to the men's and women's health booth, the sleep hygiene booth and the physical fitness booth. I was intrigued about what they had to say about nutrition. They talked about the importance of staying physically fit, and that's something I try to do."

Merritt also said the information will be especially useful for the upcoming deployment.

"Staying physically fit while underway can be challenging," said Merritt. "The experts at the health fair emphasized the importance of eating the right foods and making time to get in the gym. I agree with everything they said and thought it was good information."

Deployed Resiliency Counselor Lori Fogle ran the resiliency services booth and talked about resources she offers that Sailors and Marines can take advantage of during the upcoming deployment.

"Stress increases on deployment," said Fogle. "Whether it's family or financial concerns, or other stressors that come along with deployment, sometimes it's helpful to simply have someone to talk to. That's my job. I'm here for our Sailors."

Executive Officer Cdr. David Oden highlighted the importance of keeping Sailors educated about healthy living.

"Informing our Sailors of the resources available to them and reminding them of how to lead healthy lives are critical steps in keeping our most valuable assets - our people - in tip-top mental, physical and spiritual shape, so they can more readily meet challenges at home and abroad."

Makin Island is homeported in San Diego, conducting training and inspections in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

For more news from USS Makin Island, visit http://www.navy.mil/.

For more information about the Armed Services Blood Program, visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/

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