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Marine Fights Fires And Terrorism
(April 11, 2010) |
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Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan-Lance Cpl. Thomas Hind, 25, from East Meadow, N.Y., a generator operator assigned to the Communications Maintenance Section, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), spent part of his time as a volunteer firefighter at the East Meadow Fire Department Ladder 1 and still volunteers today. Hind, who joined the Marine Corps in December 2005, a year after becoming a volunteer firefighter, is currently on his first deployment to Afghanistan and is happy to be a part of the mission of 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward). |
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (MCN
- 4/7/2010) — Deep in the sands of Afghanistan, a
Marine reservist who is also a volunteer
firefighter carries out the missions placed upon
him.
Lance Cpl. Thomas Hind brings enthusiasm and
dedication to every endeavor, from installing
computers to raising money for wounded warriors.
Before joining the Marine Corps, Hind, a
25-year-old East Meadow, N.Y., native, spent
part of his time as a volunteer firefighter at
the East Meadow Fire Department Ladder 1 and
still volunteers today.
"I've been a firefighter for [more than six
years]," said Hind, a generator operator
assigned to the Communications Maintenance
Section, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st
Marine Logistics Group (Forward). Hind's parent
command is 4th Marine Logistics Group, a reserve
unit based in Brooklyn, N.Y., and his primary
mission here is to provide the necessities of
communication to 1st MLG (FWD), from satellites
to computers.
Hind's desire to help people was one of the
reasons he became a firefighter.
"It's good helping out people, and I like the
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camaraderie we have at the fire station," said Hind. |
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The firefighters of Nassau County, New York, where Hind volunteers, visit Walter
Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C., Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg,
N.C., the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Lejeune, N.C. and the Bethesda
National Naval Medical Center in Maryland, called "Operation Wounded Warrior."
"With Operation Wounded Warrior we visit these hospitals and hand out iPods,
backpacks and things they may need," Hind said.
He also said that the program started a few years ago because some of the
firemen were wounded veterans. Every year since then, they have raised money by
having fundraisers, pie sales and collecting donations from local businesses, to
purchase items for wounded warriors.
"We raise close to $100,000 every year," Hind said with a look of excitement on
his face. "That's a big part of the organization."
The dedication he brought to fundraising is similar to the dedication he has
brought to the workplace as a Marine.
"Lance Cpl. Hind is a very hard worker," said Staff Sgt. Stewart Hanna,
Communications Maintenance chief, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st MLG
(FWD). "He's one of my go-to guys and needs little or no supervision at all."
Hind joined the Marine Corps in December 2005, a year after becoming a volunteer
firefighter. He is currently on his first deployment to Afghanistan and is happy
to be a part of the mission of 1st MLG (FWD).
"It feels good to be here," Hind said. "I don't have any complaints because this
is where I'm needed." | |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Jerrick J. Griffin
1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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