Photo By Master Sgt. Gregory Solman | California State Guard Soldiers and Airmen work the line at the Second Harvest Silicon...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Gregory Solman, California State Guard Public Affairs
June 17, 2020
SAN JOSE, Calif.--The California State Guard (CSG) rushed to fill the void left by their California National Guard counterparts at the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank in San Jose, when most deployable Cal Guard service members were suddenly pulled from their regular and COVID-19-related duties to face civil unrest throughout the state during the first week of June.
The activation of CSG forces on various missions statewide represents one of the most significant recalls of the State Guard—long known as the California State Military Reserve—since World War II, according to California State Guard Col. Conrad Hernandez, the officer in charge of the task force assigned to the humanitarian mission of manning the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank.
More than 30 CSG Soldiers and Airmen from five units throughout the state worked the production lines of the food bank, hand packing 131 tons of food in 10,622 boxes—each meant to sustain a family of four for a week—in less than three days.
“We were worried the night before, when the Guard said they had to leave at the last minute,” recalls Manuel Bravo, Second Harvest’s Curtner Center Warehouse Manager. “So, it was fantastic that the State Guard came in and just continued the work. People got fed, which is our bottom line, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
“The mission went very well, and our Airmen and Soldiers performed admirably,” said California State Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Mike Frangadakis, the noncommissioned officer in charge.
Frangadakis said he was impressed with the force’s fitness for duty, particularly considering that some of the State Guard line workers were considerably older than typical Guard member. “No one complained. No one wanted to get off the line,” said Frangadakis. “Boxes could not have been loaded on palettes faster than we were producing them. No one took a break until we all took a break.”
“I am happy to have fulfilled the mission of serving our fellow Californian’s in their time of need,” Frangadakis said.
Hernandez commended the CSG for working as one team combining Airmen and Soldiers, from Northern California and as far south as San Diego. “It was as if we’d all known each other and worked together before,” Hernandez said. “The transition, preparation, delegation of duties, and job performance was seamless: Truly one team, one fight.”
“Our CSG personnel worked to care for our fellow Californians. Feeding our neighbors is a humbling experience and knowing we made a difference in the lives of over 10,600 California families is very gratifying,” Hernandez concluded. “I couldn’t be prouder of our ‘Curtner Food Bankers.’ We are the California State Guard in action.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2020 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 372274 |
| Location: | SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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