THANK YOU, COLUMBUS!

The May 6th blood drive at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Whitehall was a success. Despite our having to cut the drive short by 45 minutes due to a last minute scheduling conflict, a total of 48 pints of blood were collected for our Armed Forces, allowing us to help save up to 144 service members.

Supporting this drive was the American Legion and the U.S. Army Reserve Center. The drive was sponsored by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary of Wilmington Post 49. Our thanks to these fine ladies for providing food and beverages.

Radio coverage at 610-WTVN on Friday morning, May 4th  (see below) brought a surge in registrants for the drive. The radio station also was kind enough to broadcast reminders of the event on the morning of the drive, March 3rd.

To find out about the next ASBP blood drive at this location, refer to the "Next Blood Drive" link.

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Local Radio Show Again Promotes the ASBP

On Friday May 4th, 2012, radio talk show host Joel Riley interviewed American Legion Blood Drive coordinator Pete Margaritis. In the short, 5-minute interview, Pete told him about the ASBP, how the American Legion was involved, and about the upcoming Armed Forces drive the next day. Listeners tuning in to the show showed up at the drive on the next day.

Our heartfelt thanks to 610 WTVN---especially to Joel Riley and his show's morning producer, Josh---for their help in getting the word out to the public.

Again - Bravo Zulu* to Joel and to Josh.

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* Bravo Zulu is a naval signal, conveyed by flaghoist, voice, or radio, meaning "Well Done," or "Outstanding." It has found its way into the spoken and written vocabulary. The term comes from the Allied Naval Signal Book (ACP 175), an international naval signal code adopted after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), created in 1949. Until then, each navy had used its own signal code and operational manuals. World War II experience had shown though, that it was difficult, or even impossible, for ships of different navies to operate together unless they could readily communicate. ACP 175 was designed to remedy this.

This publication is organized like other signal books, that is, starting with 1-flag signals, then 2-flag and so on. The 2-flag signals were organized by general subject, starting with AA, AB, AC, ... AZ, BA, BB, BC, ... BZ, and so on. Interestingly, the B- signals were first classified as "administrative" signals, and dealt with miscellaneous matters of administration and housekeeping. The last signal on that page is BZ, standing for "well done." It has over the years evolved into the highest complimentary signal that can be given to any unit.