TESTER Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tester will not publish November 26th
Vol. 72, No. 46
Celebrating 72 Years of Community Partnership
Parade photos Page 2
Thanksgiving for Sailors Page 3
PMA-259 Page 8
November 19, 2015
Quit tobacco for better health Courtesy of Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River
Courtesy graphic
Tobacco use--both smoking and smokeless--can lead to dependence and serious health problems. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The Great American Smokeout is an annual event on the third Thursday of November organized by the American Cancer Society. The event challenges people to stop smoking cigarettes for 24 hours, hoping their decision not to smoke will last forever. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes (a bit under one in every five adults). As of 2012, there were also 13.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes. Per SECNAVINST 5100.13E, a user of tobacco products is not the Navy’s vision of a fit war-fighter. When Smokers Quit — What Are The Benefits Over Time?
• 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop. • 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. • 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases. • 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection. • 1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s. • 5 years after quitting: Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half. Cervical
See SMOKEOUT, Page 5
Marines channel their seasonal inner-Santa Toys for Tots campaign in full swing By Donna Cipolloni NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
‘Tis the season for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and, once again, NAS Patuxent River’s Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD) has mustered to help. Partnering with the local Marine Corps League — a civilian organization comprised of Marine veterans — Pax River Marines will be distributing and manning collection boxes; picking up and counting toys; and providing assistance for warehouse operations and distribution days. There are already 165 collection boxes, sporting the familiar Toys for Tots red train logo, set up throughout St. Mary’s County and in buildings across the installation, waiting to be filled with new, unwrapped toys. “It’s important for less fortunate kids to experience Christmas joy and this is a way for me to help make that happen,” explained Gunnery Sgt. Scott Atwood who, along with Gunnery Sgt. Gerald Kean, are co-coordinat-
ing this year’s MAD efforts. “Sending a message of hope through new toys, while helping to unite the members of our community in a common cause, is a great honor and privilege for me.” Kean reiterated that all donations stay local. “It’s a fact that all donations collected here stay right here in St. Mary’s County,” he stated. The group works with county social services agencies to identify local families in need. “Last year, we collected approximately 14,000 toys and purchased an additional 1,000 with cash donations received,” said Chuck Jones, retired Marine and this year’s Toys for Tots county coordinator. “They went to 1,693 children in St. Mary’s County.” Dec. 16 is the final pickup before the toys are counted, sorted and displayed at the distribution center for parents to come pick out what they want for their children. “How much they can take depends on what the estimated need will be and the number of toys collected,” Jones said. “This year, we’re also hoping to give each child at least one book.” Since the beginning of the Toys for Tots Program in 1947, Marines have distributed over
470 million toys to more than 270 million less fortunate children. Local campaigns are conducted annually in over 700 communities covering all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Important information • Spirit Night 5-7 p.m. Nov. 23 Chick-fil-A, Three Notch Road A portion of money from purchases within those hours will benefit the St. Mary’s County Toys for Tots program • Major collection days 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28; Dec. 5 and 12 Dress Barn and WalMart stores, Three Notch Road • Final collection box pickup Dec. 16 Visit www.stmarys-md.toysfortots.org to learn other ways you can help
U.S. Navy photo by Donna Cipolloni
St. Mary’s County Toys for Tots Coordinator Chuck Jones and NAS Patuxent River’s Marine Aviation Detachment Co-Coordinator Gy. Sgt. Scott Atwood stand at an already full toy collection box in the lobby of the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building. Boxes are set up in buildings across Pax River, including the NEX, South Engineering, and the Child Development Center.