The first day of the Army Medical Corps’ visit to Selma began with plenty of screenings and basic medical procedures Tuesday.

For the next nine days, the corps will offer free blood pressure and diabetes screenings, basic dental care, free eye exams and other health care. Approximately 100 people attended Tuesday’s opening day.

Maj. Michael Cooks said the visit, which also includes stations in Camden and Demopolis, was not only to provide basic medical care but also to inform citizens about their health and resources available to improve it.

“A lot of times, it’s not just the underprivileged people [who are not aware of resources], but it can be anybody. Some people really just don’t know about their health,” he said. “We want to make sure people get information about resources in their area, so when we leave they will have an idea.”

Cooks hopes more people will come to the event over the next week and a half and leave with more knowledge about their health.

Area resident Christopher Moore dropped by to get his teeth examined. He said he enjoyed the services offered to him.

“They helped me really well,” Moore said. “I decided to come and get a check up to see if they could find anything wrong with me.”

In addition to dental care, Staff Sgt. Justin Hines and his medical detachment optometry team were busy Tuesday giving eye exams and manufacturing glasses. He and his team are capable of setting up shop anywhere in the world, and he said he’s glad to help out on the home front.

“We’re able to give back to the community stateside versus always helping overseas doing humanitarian missions,” he said. “It’s really an eye-opening experience for us to be able to help the community.”

The Army Medical Corps will offer services every day through Aug. 14 at the George P. Evans building, located at 2 Lawrence St. Stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Mayor’s Office at 874-2101.