The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

On Friday afternoon, October 23, the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home received notice of their first positive Covid-19 test. The situation grew expeditiously with numbers of positive tests rising exponentially. As of press time, 15 staff members have tested positive and 21 residents in addition to four resident Covid-19 deaths.

On Friday, October 30, Sweet Memorial Nursing Home Administrator Rebecca Shackelford reached out to Haley Velk of the Blaine County Department of Emergency Services to see what kind of assistance was available.

"I ask (Haley) if she had a way to put out a request for help on our behalf," said Shackelford. The Nursing Home has been hit hard with so many staff and residents testing positive that outside help is needed, "We have requests out to traveling nurses and CNA Agencies. I have also touched base with the Care Center in Havre to find out if they had any staff, but we were coming up short and had an immediate need."

The response she got was quick, "Haley went right to work and by that same Friday afternoon she had secured us four National Guard members," added Shackelford. "Luckily, they were available and in our building by 8 a.m. on the following Monday."

The relief felt was immediate, "The extra sets of hand that they provide are allowing our staff to better tend to the needs of the residents. Being short staffed and caring for residents through this crisis is challenging to say the least. The National Guard members came ready and willing to do whatever we asked of them and for that, we are grateful!!"

Heading up the detachment for the National Guard is Sergent First Class John Zillner. Joining him on the mission is Specialist Victoria Garrido, Specialist Albert Tedrick and Private First Class Wendell Clewien.

The four are part of a team that was assembled in late April 2020 with a 20 team members in all. From there teams are sent to requested locations and members get to volunteer or are chosen by the Officer in Charge based on mission needs.

Sergeant First Class Zillner is an original member of the unit and began on a planes and trains mission, temp screening all inbound passengers. On August 11 he moved to the Regional Response Force. Teams there are notified of where they are needed and how many personnel will be required to complete the mission.

A Point of Contact (POC) for the person in charge of the facility they are assisting is given and they head out. Missions are typically about 14 days and can be extended if the situation warrants it.

" All of our missions have gone pretty much as planned," said Zillner. "There's always new site adjustments once we are on location. We have very little down time between missions, but we are normally use to high tempo and we prefer to be busy."

With little time to themselves adjustment need to be made, "We, as leaders, always do our best to give troops time to rest, whether its in between missions or during a mission. With a total of 20 Soldiers and Airmen on the team, it allows us to alternate so no one ever gets overwhelmed.

We also debrief the entire team after every mission to assist in upcoming mission success and learn more about community needs," added Zillner.

The impact the mission has on the community and the places they assist is felt on both sides, "We do feel very strongly that it has impacted the communities we have been called to. It gives them hope that we will all get through it together and they aren't alone. Relief for them to get a break, catch there breath and wrap there heads around what's impacted them. Every community has been impacted differently, so when we arrive, we do our best to get a complete understanding from them first hand, comfort them and take a load off them," said Zillner.

"Zillner is very aware of the affect the pandemic has had on communities, "Many across this country are skeptical if the pandemic is 'real', Us being on the front lines and seeing the front line workers we've encountered know it is very real! It has devastated communities, lives and families. We are normal folks also, we just want to be Montanans Helping Montanans, and help protect all of our great state!"

It would only be right for the communities they serve to know a bit about the National Guard soldiers on site to lend a hand. All four Guard members serving at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home are from the Kalispell Guard unit.

Zillner has been in the Army for 11 years, his MOS is 92G40- Culinary Management. Originally from Mission, Kansas he currently calls Kila, Montana home. He originally came to the Kalispell area as a recruiter in 2016 and went on Active orders with this unit April 2, 2020.

Zillner says his favorite part about this mission is, "Assisting communities and fellow Montanans. Meeting new people and seeing the relief that there's help. The endless thank you we receive in each location we are called to. Everyone has been so welcoming. New friendships!"

Specialist (E-4) Victoria Garrido MOS is 74D CBRN, the Army classification for a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialists. She has been in the service for four years and calls Kalispell, MT home.

She came to Montana because her family was here. She describes the Kalispell Guards as "Not really a unit but a group of people from various units located through out Montana the group in Kalispell just lives in Kalispell for the most part. But I did it to get some more experience under my belt."

Garrido's favorite part of the mission, "No place does it the same and there is always something to learn. We also all have different backgrounds and get to know each other when we are away from home. As for a moment that stood out there's something we always joke about on every mission."

Specialist Albert Tedrick's MOS is 11 Bravo/Infantryman and has been in the service for three years. Tedrick calls Kalispell, MT home. "I've been apart of operation COVID Shield since April when these orders were first put together."

His recollection of the mission to date, "I've been to nursing homes, mobile test sites, and even a homeless shelter and I couldn't tell you a story of something that has really stood out to me but when ever we show up to a location people are always very relieved and happy to see us and show a lot of gratitude so to me that's a big thing and shows me that what we are doing is important."

Montana Army National Guard Private First Class Wendell Clewien and Specialist Victoria Garrido are assisting staff and residents at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home.

Private First Class (E3) Wendell Clewien has a MOS of 11 Bravo/Infantryman and has served for 1 year and 10 months. He has with this unit and active since October 2, 2020.

Clewien arrived in Montana with a different plan in mind, "I originally moved here for better schooling, and once I realized that College wasn't for me, I looked at recruiting offices in Kalispell, I was thinking about going active service, but I ultimately chose the National Guard is where I'd serve my country."

Clewein has enjoyed his mission so far, "My favorite part is when you see a smile of someone's face when give them the help that they needed. In Poplar, I saw a kid have the biggest smile of his face when he walked outside, and saw National Guard soldiers bringing him and his family food that they desperately needed."

The Blaine County Journal ~ News Opinion, the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home thank the Montana National Guard for their assistance in our community and wherever they are need in this great state.