Maryland Army National Guard soldiers serving Eastern Shore during COVID-19 pandemic

DORCHESTER CO., Md. – Amidst the pandemic you’ll see men and women in uniform all across the state as Maryland National Guard soldiers are being deployed to serve communities with projects big and small.

“We have to have that mantra of this is what we do and this is how we want to give back,” says E4 Spc. Martin Stillwell.

Maryland Army National Guard soldiers have been activated to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We serve a dual role as being able to serve our country overseas in that capacity as well as provide domestic relief and humanitarian missions stateside,” says 1st Lt. Kevin Bittner.

The soldiers serving in Dorchester County are helping distribute meals to students. “Supporting our communities, neighbors helping neighbors and that’s really the big difference between going active duty Army and going National Guard,” says 2nd Lt. Jonathan Kushner.

They say it’s the interactions with the people they’re helping that make it all worth it. “You get mostly excitement from the kids. They see any type of uniform and they just light up and they’re happy to see it,” says Stillwell.

“They seem to be very positive. People wave, people smile, sometimes salute. They’re happy to see there are soldiers out here supporting and helping to keep people well and safe and fed during this time,” says Kushner.

“It’s all smiles. Always waving in the backseats in their little car seats. It’s great,” says Bittner. “It’s been nice. It’s been nice to actually be able to get out and do our job. It’s always under unfortunate circumstances but it’s nice to see that we have the capacity to help people and we’re able to interact with the community in a positive way during not so great of a time.”

Soldiers are routinely changing the areas they’re deployed to help based on the needs in each community. Maryland Army National Guard soldiers are also helping at Camp Hope in Salisbury, a temporary 24-tent establishment for people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.