An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 25, 2020

Michigan National Guard provides drive-thru COVID-19 testing

By Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera Michigan National Guard

THREE RIVERS, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard brought drive-thru community COVID-19 testing to Three Rivers, Baldwin and Newago Aug. 13-14.

“I believe these missions are important to the public,” said Spc. Nathan McCann a medic with the Guard’s Task Force 182. “It helps ease the minds of some, knowing that there’s constant statewide testing going on.”

McCann is new to the testing teams, filling in for others who had to get back to their homes and families after several months on the job with the Michigan National Guard’s testing mission. Before joining the testing teams, he was involved in COVID-19 relief activities at the TCF Regional Care Center and at food banks, helping many people within the state in a variety of ways.

“We are always here and ready to help with whatever we can if ever we’re needed,” said McCann.

Also new to the testing teams, Spc. Corjon Wright had been on his annual training before coming on orders to help out.

“Doing this is just a benefit for the community. It was great to see that people were willing to come out and get tested.” said Wright, who was in Three Rivers.

“I was surprised by the overwhelming response,” he said.

Sgt. Austin Topolski, a Task Force team leader, has been part of the testing teams from the beginning and has had to set some of the best practices and policies for quick and safe tests.

“We want to stay strong enough to consistently do the missions for the state of Michigan, keeping us viable and busy,” said Topolski, who was in Newaygo.

A Marine before he became a member of the National Guard, Topolski knew what it meant to serve his country. Now he has also had the experience of serving his community as a Citizen-Soldier, an integral part of the National Guard’s mission.

 

 

Related Articles
A member of the Michigan National Guard places a nasal swab in a bag during drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Cadillac, Mich., June 30, 2020. The National Guard partnered with the District Health Department 10 to provide free tests.
Michigan National Guard conducts drive-thru COVID-19 testing
By Senior Airman Tristan Viglianco | July 2, 2020
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard assisted with free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing to residents of Cadillac and Wexford County, June 30 to July 1.In partnership with local and state officials, the 182 Task Force...

New York Army National Guard Pvt. Joshua Morales, a member of the 133rd Combat Support Company, directs a COVID-19 vaccination registrant to The State University of New York, Stony Brook, vaccination site March 16th, 2021.
NY National Guard Wraps up Federally Funded COVID-19 Mission
By Eric Durr, | July 1, 2022
LATHAM, N.Y. - More than 840 days after the first Soldiers and Airmen went on duty to stem an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in New Rochelle, the New York National Guard’s federally supported COVID-19 mission came to an end...

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Nardo, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, injects James Bordeaux with a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Johnson, Vermont, March 18, 2021.
Vermont National Guard Concludes COVID-19 Missions
By Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, | June 30, 2022
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting Vermont’s COVID-19 response mission officially end orders July 1.The first mission began March 23, 2020, when Soldiers established a medical surge...