NORWICH, N.Y. - “Community is very important to me, because community is family,” said Senior Master Sgt. Helen “Holly” Crouch, 174th Medical Group medical technician.
The words weren’t just an answer to a question in an interview, but a deep-rooted affirmation that she had lived by for more than 30 years. Having heard about the opportunity to assist the Greater Chenango Cares Innovative Readiness Training in Norwich, New York, Crouch knew that event was the perfect opportunity to give back to a community that had given her so much.
“This area is my home,” Crouch said. “I grew up about 30 minutes away in Hamilton, and currently live about eight miles outside of Norwich in the city of Sherburne. In that community, I joined the Air Force Reserves and then transferred to the Air National Guard. The people that live in this area are my neighbors, my friends, my students—the people I know and care about. So being able to give back through programs like this IRT, it completes a fulfillment for me.”
Chenango is one of the poorest counties in the state, with a population of more than 50,000 residents. The area is widely underserved, with a high necessity for additional medical support in the region. For every medical professional in the area, there are approximately 3,000 people in need of care. Among them are a vast number of individuals who aren't medically insured. Through the IRT July 15-24, 2016, individuals are able to receive medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary services at no cost to the community.
“During the training, I have a pretty diversified role,” Crouch stated. “I am the senior non-commissioned officer in charge of Air Force operations for the IRT. I act as the eyes and ears for our officer in charge, overseeing the program and ensuring that our medical staff are equipped with what they need. I assist with training for our medical personnel, I am an advocate for any concerns that may come up and also, since I’m local, a point of contact for information regarding the area. I’ve seen so many people that I know come in to take advantage of this opportunity, and its heartwarming knowing that what we are doing is helping so many here in the community.”
Crouch served in the Reserves for more than 23 years before transferring over to the ANG. During that time she deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and toured South Korea, Japan, Germany and Guam. Backed by the support of the local community, they sent care packages and supplies needed for herself as well as her fellow military members.
“They have been such a caring, supportive and giving community,” Crouch continued. “Going from the Reserves, being federally supportive, and then to the Guard helping people right here at home in New York and in my local area has been a welcomed change. I love being able to be more involved. I’ve worked at state fairs representing the Air Force, Memorial Day events, with American Legion Post 178, as well as local devastation organizations to help the community.”
Though currently stationed at Hancock Air Field in Syracuse, New York, Crouch works full-time as a local teacher, is a coach, and an active community volunteer. She has worked as an exceptional student educator at the Sherburne-Earville Elementary school for more than 20 years, and coaches field hockey, volleyball, ski club, and the running club. She also dedicates countless hours at the Rogers Environmental Center improving their early childhood education activities to support local youth.
“When I first started at Rogers they didn't have that program available,” she explained. “Our first activity, we had over 100 children attend. This let us know that kids were very much interested in the environment and wanted to learned about it. It was great being able to fulfill that need. I think the IRT is similar. We are fulfilling a need here and helping people. I’m really proud to be a part of that. So often things get taken for granted, but even after I take off this uniform, press it, and leave it on the shelf, this will be forever.”