Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly | Sgt. Alondra Morales, assigned to the 1452nd HET Transportation Company, utilizes her...... read more read more
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On the brisk morning of May 9th, a long line of cars stretched down the street from the Second Harvest Food Bank Northwest in Winston-Salem, N.C. Behind the masked covered faces, hopeful eyes peered out over their steering wheels, all from various backgrounds. Each pair of hands that gripped the steering wheel were the hands of those that shared a multitude of experiences that had led them to seek help at their local food bank.
North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1452nd HET Transportation Company walked with clipboards in hand and a determined stride, ready to help their community.
As the Soldiers came to a halt at the driver’s side window of each car they asked a series of questions pertaining to the quantity of food needed to properly register each family. While serving a diverse community, these NCARNG Soldiers were able to communicate in each citizens’ native language; particularly Spanish.
COVID-19 has brought a wave of uncertainty that has left many families struggling to afford basic necessities due to a loss of jobs and reduced hours. Therefore, the NCNG has stepped up during a time of need by utilizing their dual capabilities as Citizen-Soldiers to provide help that goes beyond their normal duties.
“It’s our job as Citizen-Soldiers to help out the people of our areas,” said Sgt. Timothy Spence, assigned to the 1452nd. “I believe it is important for Soldiers to answer the call...because we are also people who live in these communities.”
Members of the 1452nd were among the 940 NC Guardsmen many who put aside their civilian jobs and re-prioritized their efforts to help the community in any way possible.
“As members of the 1452nd we are naturally 88 Mikes, truck drivers, so we do not interpret normally, but since we are Citizen-Soldiers we are able to speak to these people in ways that other people can’t,” Spence said.
These Soldiers, although not recognized as trained interpreters, utilized their bilingual abilities and volunteered to help their community.
“Our community is incredibly diverse so during these food bank distributions we do have a large number of individuals who are Spanish speaking,” said Eric Aft, CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC. “For us at the food bank, we do not have many Spanish speaking staff members... but having the Soldiers be able to bridge that gap is really critical.”
Aft continued, "It can be scary for people to ask for assistance especially when you don’t speak the same language and therefore, being able to have someone communicate with you in your native language provides a lot of comfort. These Soldiers are a part of making that happen."
Members of the 1452nd had their own personal motives not just as Soldiers but human beings who have ties and loved ones within the community.
As Soldiers and active members of their communities they have witnessed first hand the effects of COVID-19.
“I have personally dealt with people out of jobs,” Spence said. “My mother is out of a job right now. She’s not able to pay for the bills that are usually accustomed to our life-style. Therefore, I feel better that I’m able to help out people in my city... so they can be able to eat and be able to survive this unprecedented situation.”
Sgt. Adela Gomez of the 1452nd recalled an emotional encounter with some of the families seeking help at the local food bank. She was one of a few on site who were able to use her bilingual abilities to speak and connect with fellow citizens in need.
“You see some of them crying and you get emotional but it’s a good feeling to be helping out,” Gomez said. “I’m just thankful that I got the opportunity to come out here and help, not just Hispanics but everyone in general.
The NCNG continues to work with North Carolina Emergency Management, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and local food banks to help support COVID-19 relief efforts. To date the NCNG has assisted in distributing about 1 million food bank meals and over 73,000 school lunches across the state.
“To be a Citizen-Soldier it means a lot because...it brings great honor to our families and to the communities here,” Gomez said.
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2020 16:02 |
| Story ID: | 369966 |
| Location: | NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, NCARNG Assist Spanish Speaking Citizens During COVID-19, by SSG Hannah Tarkelly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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