Considered one the largest on-going humanitarian mission, Operation Lone Star 2010 will begin Monday.
In its 12th year, organizers are expecting 12,000 to 14,000 people in South Texas for this year’s program.
"We'll be doing primarily screenings. Immunizations, testing of glucose levels, diabetes, those type of things," Major William Bohl with the U.S. Army said.
The two week program is divided in two areas: the first week targets residents in Cameron, Willacy and Hidalgo Counties. The second targets Starr, Zapata and Webb.
"The soldiers that are down here serving come from all over the state,” Major Bohl said. “We have soldiers from Amarillo here. We have soldiers from El Paso, from Houston."
The event is made possible thanks to the collaboration between various branches in the Texas military.
In addition to providing medical services, the operation serves as training for local and state officials for a medical emergency.
"This is an opportunity for our soldiers to get a brush up on what they need to make sure they’re squared away when they’re taking care of the patients that are here," he added.
Training went on at the Weslaco Armory all day Sunday, leading up to the first day of the operation.
The program will continue all week long until Friday in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy, before it moves to Starr, Zapata and Webb in the following week.
"All they need is to bring themselves because we don't require documentation there aren't any questions about insurance or residency," Dr. Brian Smith, with the Texas Department of State Health Services, said.
Military members and volunteers will be set up in four sites this week:
• Garcia Middle School
5701 FM 802, Brownsville
• Raymondville High School
1 Bearkat Blvd- FM 3168, Raymondville
• PSJA High School
805 W. Ridge Rd., San Juan
• Palmview High School
3901 N. La Homa Rd., Mission
The hours for Operation Lone Star are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Tuesday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
From August 2-6, the program will open three sites in Starr, Zapata and Webb Counties, the hours of operation remain the same:
• Rio Grande City High School
144 FM 3167, Rio Grande City
• Zapata Community Center
607 N. US 83, Zapata
• Alexander High School
3600 E. Del Mar Blvd., Laredo
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