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Helping stop the spread of COVID-19 in Guam
Pvt. 2nd Class Steven Balmonte of Dededo, Guam, is one of the many Guam National Guard soldiers and airmen who answered the call to help the island stop the spread of COVID-19. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Pvt. 2nd Class Steven Balmonte of Dededo, Guam, is one of the many Guam National Guard soldiers and airmen who answered the call to help the island stop the spread of COVID-19.
With just one year of service, Balmonte has been on several missions with the Guard’s COVID-19 response unit, Joint Task Force 671, to include education campaigns, traffic control at the COVID-19 testing sites, and now assisting guests at the Quarantine Facility under Task Force Shield. He takes pride in helping the island, and feels that his efforts contribute to the front-line nurses and doctors who work hard every day saving lives.
Balmonte explains that serving locally is why he signed up for the Guard over active duty. And as the Guard supports the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, being part of COVID-19 response helps him achieve that goal.
“Whether we’re Army or Air Force, there’s no difference when we’re together. We all contribute to working our part and the mission just sails smooth from there,” said Balmonte. He encourages other soldiers and airmen to volunteer if they can, expressing the importance of helping the island reach 80% immunization. “Although the spread of COVID-19 will not stop, doing your part will help slow the spread and protect the people. After all, it’s what we signed up for.” (PR)
