Lt. Joshua Clarke, left, a student pilot with Training Wing One at Naval Air Station Meridian, presents his first place trophy to 12-year-old Paul Crouch, who suffers from cerebral palsy, at the conclusion of the Great American Smokeout 5K Run held at NAS Meridian on Nov. 15. Lt. Clarke was so impressed with young Crouch’s determination to compete in and finish the 5K run that he presented the trophy to him. Crouch is the son of Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Crouch, a hospital corpsman at Naval Branch Health Clinic on board the base. Approximately 200 Sailors, Marines and others participated in the race, which raises awareness of the dangers of tobacco use. Also on hand to provide helpful information were

representatives from the Naval Branch Health Clinic Tobacco Cessation team, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and Pfizer. The Great American Smokeout, celebrated nationally the third Wednesday of November, is now in its 31st year. It is a time set aside for smokers to make a plan to quit.