‘We’ve just been going non-stop’: Tangier Island native serving on USNS Comfort during pandemic
SALISBURY, Md. – New York has been one the hot spots of the Coronavirus pandemic, and one of those on the front lines there happens to be a Delmarva native. Navy Senior Chief Information Systems Technician James Dise tells 47 ABC that his days vary every single day, but that he’s proud to be serving in such an unprecedented time.
“Hello to everyone back on Delmarva, hope everyone is doing good, and looking forward to coming home when the time is right,” Senior Chief Dise said.
Senior Chief Dise has been on the USNS Comfort since the ship docked outside of New York on March 30. Since then, he’s been serving on the front lines, helping medical professionals treat Coronavirus patients in one of the country’s hardest hit areas.
“[We’ve been] supporting the medical professionals, doctors, nurses, anyone that needs it, making sure they have accurate and good communications, computers, whatever they need, we do our best to get our hands on it and make it happen for them,” he said.
Senior Chief Dise says, sometimes, that comes down to keeping everyone on the ship inspired.
“Trying to make sure everyone is motivated, keeping them motivated to get in and do what we have to do. Some days you’re just tired, but you still have to fight through it and press through it, and we do it with as much finesse as we can,” he said.
But while he serves his country, Senior Chief Dise has never forgotten his home, Tangier Island, the place where he started his military career decades ago.
“I met a friend of mine, Captain Joe McGettigan, who worked down at Wallops island, and he actually encouraged me to join, and since then I’ve been going since 2001 and I’m loving it,” Senior Chief Dise said.
Since he enlisted in 2001, Senior Chief Dise has spent a lot of time away from home. He says while he’s gotten relatively used to it, there’s still aspects of life on the island that he misses.
“My family, friends, food, you’ll never have better seafood…ever,” he said.
He says the support he receives daily from those back home helps him get through.
“A lot of people stopping and visiting with my mom, and just telling her that they’re really excited that I’m doing this,” he explained.
And his mom couldn’t be more proud of her son. In an email to 47 ABC, Emma Dise wrote: “He continues to help whomever he can and never complains about it. I could not be more proud to call him my son and for his service to our country. He is a credit to Tangier Island and we are all proud of him.”
He says it’s that kind of support that will help everyone on the front lines get through this time.
“I know it’s a stressful time, and I know it wears on them, but it does mean a lot when someone just says a little thank you, it actually goes a lot further than you would know,” he said.
