b'I LOVE THE UNITED STATESThis never happens. Never do you get sent on a National Guard mission and youre in OF AMERICA. your own backyard, Stephen said. Wejust had our second baby this year so its been nice being closer to home.Whats next?Stephens eager to get back to a Kortejob site.But if the Army plays a role in distributing COVID-19 vaccines across the country, it could mean his mission isnt accomplished just yet.STEPHEN TUCKERSTEPHEN TUCKERI love the United States of America. In a two-month stretch, his team criss-crossed southeast TexasBrazoria, So says Stephen Tucker, an estimatorBaytown, Beaumontcompleting 4,225 with The Korte Company and a Lieutenanttests. In that region alone, teams like serving in the U.S. Army National Guard. Stephens tested over 70,000 patients.The Guard boasts a flexible dutyOwing to his constant exposure, Stephen commitment of one weekend a month andcontracted the virus himself in late July.two weeks per year, but Uncle Sam has had to borrow Stephen a little longer than that. New orders were waiting for him upon his recovery. The next assignment? Supporting In May 2020, Stephen was assigned tofood bank operations at home in Houston.This never happens. a General Support Unit as part of the militarys pandemic relief mission. HisHis new team spends three days a weekNever do you get sent mixed-discipline team of combat engineers,in the warehouse receiving supplies and medics and Air Force airmen administeredbuilding pallets for distribution. Two dayson a National Guard mobile COVID-19 tests in and arounda week, the team stands beside local Houston, Texas in coordination with localvolunteers to hand out boxes to families inmission and youre in authorities and the Texas Department ofneed at NRG Stadium and at George Bushyour own back yard.Emergency Management. Intercontinental Airport.P_13 P_14'