From the Heart to Our Troops

What started as a young lieutenant’s compelling recount of a firefight in Afghanistan that led to the death of his commanding officer and wounding of his comrades inspired a group of FBI employees to organize a blood drive. In March 2008, the FBI sponsored its first blood drive program and set donation records with its partner, the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program. This program, which was supported by 185 donors, gained 95 usable units of blood.

On November 19, 2008, the FBI will host a second blood drive at FBI Headquarters to support the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program. This blood drive, which is open to FBI employees from FBI Headquarters and the Washington Field Office, marks the second event ever held at a non-military location.

“We are honored to support our troops who are fighting in support of freedom throughout the world,” said Executive Assistant Director (EAD) J. Stephen Tidwell of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “Our March 2008 blood drive set records for the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program and has raised the bar for this drive. The FBI is proud to have the opportunity to support the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program and the brave men and women who benefit from this program.”

EAD Tidwell joins the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program Director Diviana Johnson and the Bethesda Naval Medical Center to honor those participating in the blood drive and the men and women serving the U.S. government at home and overseas.

The U.S. Armed Services Blood Program holds blood drives around the country and overseas. For more information, visit www.militarybloood.dod.mil or www.militarylifeforce.com. To receive the latest information about the FBI, visit www.fbi.gov to sign up for e-mail alerts.