![]() Ordinarily, large groups of personnel would attend exercises at the national training center in California, as well as another location in Louisiana. PRNG’s ability to adapt is illustrated in its revised plan for annual training. Here she signs her enlistment contract as Gen. in the Puerto Rico National Guard on April 2. Laiza Rivera, a medical student at Central Caribbean University, took the oath of office to become a 2nd Lt. PRNG has similar operations at other ports of entry. Rivera, whose major is ophthalmology, was already in the process of joining but inspired the other three student-volunteers to join as well. The 27-year-old says she was going stir-crazy being home all day because of the lockdown so she decided to volunteer at the airport. This actually worked as an unintentional recruitment campaign when four of them decided to join the PRNG. In addition to military personnel, 150 students from Puerto Rico’s four medical schools have volunteered for this mission as well. This is a 24/7 operation with about 260 PRNG members participating - roughly 60 are assigned to each six-hour shift. If a passenger has a temperature of 100.3° or over, they are immediately taken to a triage area and tested for COVID-19. PRNG is doing its part to accomplish that by conducting medical evaluations of everyone entering Puerto Rico.Įarlier this year, PRNG and other federal and state agencies started screening incoming passengers at the international airport in San Juan by installing 11 infrared cameras that measure a person’s body temperature. The mantra of elected officials has been, “Flatten the curve,” meaning stop the spread of the virus. “With a couple of Culebrians on our side, it made things a little bit more even.”Īfter the last pitch was thrown, the Soldiers and federal employees started walking back to the ferry exhausted but with a newfound personal connection to the fellow Americans they are helping.The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of just about every American. Steven Eaton, public affairs operations non-commissioned officer for the 65th PCH.Īfter a quick lunch break, the two teams shuffled their rosters making the game a bit more interesting. “To be honest we were out there having so much fun, we lost track of the score,” said Staff Sgt. After a few innings, it became evident that the Culebrians had the better team. The first game pitted the team of federal responders against the local softball team from Culebra. “We’re here playing together with the Army, the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA,” said Melendez. In an interview Lawrence “Larry” Melendez, a Culebra resident, expressed his gratitude for all the federal efforts that have helped restore the island. ![]() “Today we have representatives from many of the federal agencies contributing relief efforts in Puerto Rico coming together as a team to build stronger relationships with the people we serve.” Today it is in the great American sport of softball,” said Walker. “Partnership can be exercised in many forms. The doubleheader also served as an opportunity to celebrate the teamwork amongst locals, military and federal agencies that have been making the recovery effort a success.įederal agencies have teamed to help the island by providing temporary power in the form of generators and brining necessities to ease the burdens caused by the dual hurricanes. ![]() “This was a great opportunity to take a break and relax.” Alysia Brewster, a combat documentation production specialist with the 65th PCH. “The people of Culebra and we have been working nonstop to bring Puerto Rico back after the two hurricanes,” said Army Spc. Walker and other soldiers from the 65th PCH have been in Puerto Rico since late October conducting full spectrum media operations in support of the ongoing recovery operations on the island territory. Brett Walker, executive officer of the 65th Press Camp Headquarters, Massachusetts National Guard, and William Ivan Solis, the mayor of Culebra, organized the matchup. There, the soldiers and civilians faced a challenge that they had yet to encounter on their missions across Puerto Rico: the Culebrian softball team.Īrmy Maj. They set sail to the island of Culebra, a small archipelago off the coast of Puerto Rico that was ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. ![]() SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A team of National Guardsmen joined civilian employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers on board a ferry as they casted off from Fajardo, Puerto Rico Nov. ![]()
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