MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Iwakuni's Women, Infants and Children Overseas program celebrated their one-year anniversary aboard the Station June 28 with a cake cutting ceremony attended by service and family members alike.
Navy Capt. Adam Robinson, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer, and Cmdr. Don Albia, Branch Medical Clinic commanding officer, stopped by for the occasion. But perhaps no guest was more important to the spirit of the day than 4-year-old Nate Price and his younger brother, Matt, 2, who accompanied their mother Nicole to the event.
"This celebration, and WICO, is all about the children and families," said Robinson. "WICO does such a tremendous job making sure our children are having all of their nutritional needs met. This is truly a special occasion."
In addition to the festivities, the guest were also introduced to in-coming WICO coordinator Toni Piechota, who will officially be replacing out-going WICO coordinator Angela Griffin July 10.
"I am excited about continuing the great job of my predecessors here in Iwakuni," said Piechota. "They have accomplished a lot here in their first year, and have given the program a strong foundation."
Indeed, Iwakuni's WICO office helped 182 families meet their nutritional needs during their first year, and Griffin says she hopes more people take advantage of the program, which is geared to prenatal and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5.
"We are here for the Iwakuni community," said Griffin. "Ensuring all the children of our military members eat the proper foods for good health is our goal."
According to Alma Torres, WICO administrative clerk, many eligible service members don't receive WICO benefits due to a false stigma attached to the program.
"Some people may feel embarrassed to use vouchers for food, but there's no reason to," said Torres. "This is a benefit for the many sacrifices military members make while serving their country."
Darrah laid the issue to rest in plain, straightforward language.
"WICO is an entitlement, not welfare," said Darrah. "It's that simple."
According to Griffin, WICO actually saves the government money.
"In the long run, the healthier our children are the less it costs the medical budget," said Griffin. "Government studies have shown every dollar spent on WICO saves about $3 in potential medical costs."
Additionally, WICO also plays a role in helping the military accomplish its mission.
"It is a readiness issue," said Griffin. "When service men and women aren't worried about their families health and nutrition needs, they can focus on the mission. This allows the service member to go out and do what he or she is supposed to do for our country."
For more information on Iwakuni's WICO program, call 253-4928, or stop by the Child Development Center, Building 636, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"As a mother it's nice to know my kids' nutritional needs are being taken care of," said Price. "Our children are the most important thing we have."