Safety Expo Unites Marine Community
July 01, 2008
Marine Corps News by Cpl. Aaron Rooks
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The 2nd Marine
Logistics Group held its first ever safety expo here June 30
in hopes of uniting the community of Marine Corps Base Camp
Lejeune, N.C., toward a safe and healthier lifestyle.
The event focused on providing Marines with the knowledge
necessary to help keep themselves and their families safe,
highlighting various topics ranging from everyday health and
wellness, to the more serious topics such as traffic, off-duty
and recreational safety.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Nigel Abner, the assistant safety
officer for 2nd MLG, said the expo was a success. He said
safety representatives from the II Marine Expeditionary Force
were present for the event, showing the importance of safety.
Combined reports from II MEF and 2nd MLG prove the value of
events such as this one. They show that for the duration of
2nd MLG's recent combat deployment to Iraq, 36 percent of
lives lost occurred here at MCB Camp Lejeune due to various
safety mishaps.
"A lot of younger Marines are looking at getting out and
having fun," said Staff Sgt. James Haynes, the safety officer
for Combat Logistics Battalion 22, an element of Combat
Logistics Regiment 27. "They often don't think about the
hazards."
But after attending this event with his unit, Haynes said many
Marines left more knowledgeable about safety issues than when
they arrived. He said the expo gave the Marines and Sailors a
better understanding about activities they normally
participate in, but aren't covered often, like hunting and
fishing, boating and driving off-road.
Abner agreed, as he said that a variety of experts attended
the expo to give their helping hand. He added that their
presence and hands-on demonstrations were more effective than
just showing Marines and Sailors PowerPoint presentations.
The MLG is not alone in their efforts to prevent mishaps.
Robert Dubois, the II MEF Drive Safe program manager, said
that all units throughout II MEF are making efforts to improve
safety awareness in their Marines.
"It's Marine Corps wide, not just II MEF," the Manchester, N.H.,
native said. "Across the board, safety has become a priority."
Abner said the MLG's Group Safety Office plans to hold another
safety expo in December to bring them closer to their goal of
helping save the lives of Marines and Sailors by preventing
safety mishaps. |
