MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The noise of bustling healthconscious patrons filled the IronWorks Gym sports courts here during the 2011 Semper Fit Health and Fitness Expo Saturday.
Many different health stations were available to the community as information was given out and questions answered about physical, financial and mental health.
“The focus of the event is to promote the resources that are available on the base,” Alma Dickinson, Semper Fit health promotions director said. “Semper Fit staff is out here at our station and also giving physical fitness demonstrations all morning, but there are other entities of health. That’s why the other stations are out here too.”
Cycling, kickboxing, kettle bells, core conditioning, jump rope and yoga were the exercises the Semper Fit fitness coordinators demonstrated.
Some of the other booths at the expo were the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, the library and the station Education Office.
The Branch Health Clinic staff was in full force at the event.
Cholesterol, blood sugar and blood-pressure screenings were available to the people.
“This is a great opportunity to come out to these events because they are where the people are,” Lt. Cmdr. Stella Annunziato, a BHC nurse in charge of health promotions and staff education training, said.
The BHC staff also gave out information about tobacco hazards, proper diet and nutrition, and women’s health.
“We come out here to let the people know that we have these services available to not just the active duty service members, but to their dependants and beneficiaries too,” Annunziato said.
The station Education Office booth, which included the library, was also at the event.
The station Education Office provided information for both mental and financial health.
“We’re here to provide an overview of the services we offer to the residents aboard Iwakuni,” Sonja Berry, the station Education Office guidance counselor, said.
Tuition assistance was a topic of financial health and is available through the station Education Office for the Marines and sailors, as well as tests to prepare them for college. Help with submitting officer packages are also available.
“On the library side, we have programs with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to help spouses with deployed service members,” Berry said.
One such program to help with the mental health of family members allows service members to record themselves reading a story. The service member’s child can then listen to the parent reading the story while the parent is still deployed.
“It’s a really nice way to keep the family connected through long deployments,” Berry said.
Michael McElhenny attended the event and seemed to add to his health knowledge.
“Health and science is always changing,” McElhenny said. “These events give you new tips and ideas on how to take care of yourself.”
Armed with the knowledge from the expo, the thought of a healthier future for everyone doesn’t seem that far away for station residents.vóó