GREENSBORO, North Carolina– A U.S. Air National Guard Engineering Specialist and a U.S. Army National Guard Food Service Specialist are helping community members seeking a COVID-19 vaccine at the Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at the Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro, North Carolina, in ways they never expected.
Between U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Suchite, assigned to the 145th Air Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina Air National Guard and U.S. Army Sgt. Buck Isenhour, assigned to the 630th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Lenior, North Carolina Army National Guard, the two speak six languages.
Both are fluent in Spanish and English; Suchite is fluent in sign language, and Isenhour speaks some French, German, and Arabic.
The two didn’t join the mission expecting to interpret. Instead, they started off directing community members through the facility and facilitating with administrative duties.
“They found out I spoke multiple languages, so I was put on a translation group,” said Isenhour. “It’s been very helpful having the different abilities to speak the languages and help out the community.”
Isenhour started learning Spanish from family members who babysat with him when he was nine and he quickly realized he wanted to learn more.
“I ended up liking to learn Spanish and it was a lot of fun getting to talk to different people,” said Isenhour. “I learned French from my mom and then German from a pen pal. When I went overseas, I got into the Arabic culture and I learned some Arabic.”
For Suchite, learning sign language was a way to connect with his brother who dealt with hearing loss.
“Since I was around eight years old I’ve been learning sign language. My brother had a bad ear infection when he was younger, and then slowly and surely he got more hard of hearing and then deaf,” said Suchite. “He had to learn sign language. So my goal was to learn sign language to communicate with him.”
Both translators agree, their work means more than just making sure community members get vaccinated. To them, it’s all about making sure everyone feels included.
“When I was able to use sign language, it made me feel good that I was able to include other people as opposed to using virtual communication through tablets or writing notes down,” said Suchite. “It’s a different sensation when you can actually communicate with somebody.”
The two play an essential role in making sure community members are making informed decisions about their health. Suchite and Isenhour are able to answer any questions community members may have and walk them through the entire vaccination process.
“We have a lot of Spanish speakers who have issues with being scared of getting vaccinated, the actual symptoms, and getting the information,” said Isenhour. “We’ve been able to talk to certain people and calm them down after getting a vaccination. I went to a local church and talked to a group there, and they came in and got vaccinated.”
While Suchite and Isenhour are key contributors to ensuring all community members feel included and comfortable while at the vaccination center, they recognize that administering vaccines is a team effort.
“It’s really important for our mission to be able to help everyone that’s around us, especially for the community that wants to get vaccinated,” said Isenhour.
The Greensboro CVC is open until June 1 at the Four Season Town Centre. Vaccinations are available Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Walk up appointments are welcome.
U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2021 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 396850 |
| Location: | GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Greensboro CVC support staff provide inclusive environment for community members, by SGT Caitlin Wilkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
