Published: November 06, 2009 09:48 pm      

Gov. Henry orders flags at half-staff

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Brad Henry has ordered all flags on state property to be flown at half-staff through Tuesday to honor the victims of Thursday’s deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas. The executive order mirrors a directive by President Obama that all flags on federal property be flown at half-staff during the same time frame.

Among the 12 victims of the Nov. 5 shooting was Army Spc. Jason Dean Hunt, a 22-year-old soldier from the town of Tipton. Gov. Henry has ordered flags to also be flown at half-staff on the day of Spc. Hunt’s funeral.

Funeral arrangements for the Tillman County native are still pending.

“On behalf of all Oklahomans, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of J.D. Hunt,” Henry said. “Like all Americans, we grieve for all the victims of that horrific shooting, but this tragedy hits especially close to home in light of this young man’s death.”

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Blood Institute has contacted Fort Hood hospital’s blood bank and transfusion services and been told that they do not have a need presently for blood products. Scott White Hospital in Temple reported the same when contacted.

As the 11th largest, not-for-profit blood center in the U.S., Oklahoma Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 150 medical facilities in the area.

This week, some 109 blood drives have been conducted by Oklahoma Blood Institute and Texas Blood Institute. Hundreds of donors have shown up at the institute’s 12 donor centers.

“Thanks to those who have given blood with Oklahoma Blood Institute and Texas Blood Institute this week, there is no need for emergency appeals for blood because our supplies can meet the needs of those hospitals we serve and the needs at Fort Hood,” the OBI stated in a press release.

 Anyone, 17 and older and healthy, can donate blood with Oklahoma Blood Institute and Texas Blood Institute. Blood donated in the coming days will be available to the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy should it be needed.

 Donors in Edmond may go to the OBI locagtion at 3409 S. Broadway, Ste. 300 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The American Red Cross responded to the community affected by the terrible tragedy Thursday by sending more than 150 units of blood and blood products to Scott and White Hospital and Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood to help treat the wounded. Red cells, platelets, FFP and cryo were also distributed.

“What happened at Fort Hood was devastating. It is times like these that remind us, as a country, to band together to provide for each other. Giving blood is a great way to help prepare our country for the unexpected and give back where you can,” said Vince Hernandez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma.

Because of the public’s generous donations over previous months, the American Red Cross was able to respond to this terrible tragedy by supplying blood. To ensure other tragedies across our country receive the same timely response of quality blood and blood products, a blood drive has been set up at the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma at 601 N.E. Sixth St. from 1-5 p.m. Sunday for anyone local wishing to help.

For more information about scheduling a blood drive with Red Cross, call 317-1931.