RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Around 200 service members from across the country have descended on Rhea and Bledsoe Counties.
This, to address a major community need while preparing for future duty.
As we have reported in the past, health care access in rural areas can be challenging.
That is why the National Guard is stepping up here at Rhea County Middle School and Bledsoe County High School to provide a much needed service to these communities.
Maj. Matthew Eck, a public affairs official for the 180th Flying Wing for the Ohio National Guard said, “You really see the gratitude and how much people have welcomed us into the Tennessee area, and it lasts forever with you.”
Operation Healthy Tennessee is providing medical services at Rhea Middle School and Bledsoe County High School at no cost to those who receive them.
These include the following:
- Sports physicals
- Wellness Checks
- Chronic Medical Checkups
- Vision Screenings
- Single Vision Prescription Glasses
- Dental Fillings
- Extractions
- Limited Exams
Maj. Eck explained, “Members of the community decided to apply for this. It’s been here a few times in the past few years, and they’ve received permission to have us here.”
This is a part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training Program.
It provides these service members with an opportunity to prepare for future medical responses to disasters or in a wartime scenario.
Maj. Eck said, “This is training for us in the regard of us working together and speaking different languages. Are we speaking Navy? Are we speaking Army? Are we speaking Air Force? And are we overcoming those communication barriers with different acronyms? It forces us to work together and become a cohesive unit while serving the community.”
As a native of Cleveland, Ohio, Maj. Eck says that their personnel from who come from as far away as Washington state, have been welcomed with open arms.
He said, “Whether we’re seeing the patients here, and seeing how their lives changed, and seeing how grateful they are for the services, or just eating at the local restaurants, and seeing how grateful they are for having us in their communities, it’s been really amazing to be welcomed by the people of Tennessee.”
These two clinics are open each day from 8 to 4 local time through July 21st, except for next Saturday, July 19th.
They encourage you to arrive early on any given day as it is a first come, first serve process.
Additionally, the sooner you can come could make a difference if a particular medical service is still being offered.
You do not need to make an appointment, have an identification, or meet an income or residency requirement.
