Photo by Christina Mennella A retiree, Pam Campbell, entertains as Duffles the Clown for attendees of the annual Health, Community Support and Craft Fair. The event was held at Spates Community Club and sponsored by the Fort Myer Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program.

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Army Community Service held its annual Health, Community Support and Craft Fair Oct. 22 at Spates Community Club.

Attendees were welcomed at the entrance to the club by ACS volunteers who gave away tote bags and vendor location maps. Joyce Mason has volunteered with ACS for 25 years.

‘‘We do this event every year to help Soldiers and their Families, and it’s a great event promoting good health while at the same time promoting good products,” Mason said.

Free flu immunizations were given to Soldiers, Family members, retirees and Department of Defense civilians. A number of different health screenings were offered in the fitness room including flu immunizations, fitness for all ages, blood pressure screenings and a body fat analysis.

‘‘I’m here to receive the flu mist. I am a new parent with a 2-month-old son at home named Conner. I’m getting the flu shot to protect my Family as well as myself from getting the flu — luckily the flu shot is required for all active duty military. The swine flu is a dangerous epidemic right now, so being cautious is always a good thing,” said Sgt. Kelley Massinon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison.

Also offered were health screenings, cholesterol, skin cancer, bone density, fitness and vision screenings. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Virginia Hospital Center and many other organizations set up booths to provide attendees with information about autism, nutrition and more.

There were free massages in the executive room where four massage stations were set up for guests to relieve a little stress.

‘‘I came here today to get my blood glucose levels checked because diabetes runs in my Family, and then I saw that they were giving away a free massage,” said Spc. Sean Dozier, 289th MP Co. ‘‘I’m in line now and I can’t wait.”

The grand ballroom was filled with gift vendors selling cookware, pottery, books and many other items for attendees to get a jump start on holiday shopping.

‘‘Since 1998, we have had this fair at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington,” said Marcia O’Connor, Exceptional Family Member Program manager. ‘‘This is the first year we have had it at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. This fair is great for preventive health, and it has wonderful activities for people to be happy and look after their health.”

Transportation to and from the event was provided for servicemembers and DoD civilians at Fort McNair and Fort Belvoir.

‘‘If servicemembers are deploying they have to get a number of vaccines, and immunizations are important for everyone, said Spc. Brandon Natelli, a combat medic with Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic. ‘‘We worry about healthy people transmitting the flu to those who aren’t healthy — unhealthy people can get sick and possibly die.”