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Blue Angels Make Perfect Landing at Children's Hospital
(May 13, 2011) |
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May 6, 2011 - Lt. Jason Smith, center, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John Mocek,
both members of the U.S. Navy flight
demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, visit
with young patients at Children's Hospital New
Orleans during New Orleans Navy Week 2011. |
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NEW ORLEANS (NNS - 5/11/2011) -- The Navy Blue
Angels brought out the smiles of patients at
Children's Hospital in New Orleans May 6 when
they visited more than a dozen patients there.
Lt. Jason Smith, flight surgeon for the Blue
Angels, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John
Mocek, squadron corpsman, spent part of Friday
morning, going from room to room in the
children's oncology ward, delivering Blue
Angels' souvenirs and sharing stories with 16
patients and their families.
The Blue
Angels were the featured attraction at the
N'Awlins Centennial of Naval Aviation Air Show
May 7-8 at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve
Base, Belle Chase, which is located just south
of New Orleans. |
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Smith underscored the importance of reaching out to local
youth whenever the Blue Angels come to town.
"When
we're at an air show, one of the coolest things is seeing
how kids respond when they see the jets fly by, how loud
they are, and the maneuvers they perform," said Smith.
"Unfortunately, some of the kids can't come out because they
are sick. So by coming to the hospital, we get to bring some
of the excitement to the kids who otherwise would like to be
there."
Mocek echoed Smith's sentiment.
"I
love doing this. It gives us the chance to get out and meet
the children," said Mocek. "Yes, we are a recruiting tool
for the Navy. But for the kids who can't come out and see
the air show, we bring a little bit of the air show to
them."
Hospital officials welcomed the Navy Blue
Angels visit.
"In this oncology unit, to have Navy
Blue Angels pilots visit and come into their rooms, it helps
break up the monotony of the day for these kids," said
Nichole Marinello, special events coordinator at Children's
Hospital. "Many of the children can't leave their room, so
to have visitors come to them is a big deal and it's a
really special treat to have the Navy Blue Angels here
today."
Other Blue Angels team members visited
students at high schools in the New Orleans area. | |
Article and photo By
Navy Chief MCS Steve Johnson
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
Copyright 2011
Reprinted from
Navy News Service
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