Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Farson | From left to right, U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Chester, Sgt. Eva Golias and Spc. Makayla...... read more read more
WASHINGTON — A D.C. resident who once questioned the National Guard’s presence during the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission never expected their perspective to shift. But in late October, a brief encounter on a neighborhood street set in motion a change that was not anticipated — one shaped not by policy, but by a single act of compassion.
U.S. Army Sgt. Eva Golias, Sgt. Matthew Chester, Spc. Makayla Marquez, and Spc. Stephen Edenfield, with the 179th Military Police Company, Georgia National Guard, were on routine patrol supporting the mission when they witnessed a vehicle collide with a U-Haul truck before veering off the roadway. The Guardsmen immediately stopped, secured the scene, and rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived.
“We immediately started running toward the crash,” said Golias. “The driver appeared to be having a seizure, and her passengers were panicking. We called 911 right away and began helping everyone get to safety.”
Chester described the teamwork that followed. “There were four of us, and everyone knew what to do,” he said. “Two Soldiers guided emergency services to the scene while the rest of us stayed with the driver, keeping her still and clearing debris from the road.”
Despite the chaos, the Guardsmen remained steady and composed. “It was a difficult situation, but I’m glad we were there to help,” Golias said. “Our presence ensured the paramedics had what they needed quickly before transporting the patient.”
What the Soldiers didn’t know was that a nearby resident — someone who had previously voiced concern about out-of-state Guard units operating in the city — was watching.
A D.C. resident later emailed city officials, acknowledging his earlier skepticism but describing how the Guardsmen’s professionalism and empathy changed his view.
"I’ve previously been critical of National Guard units from outside D.C. being present here but seeing how quickly and calmly they responded made me rethink that,” the D.C. resident wrote.
In his message, he described how their actions revealed the heart behind the mission. “They helped the children out of the car, cared for the mother, and stayed until everything was under control,” he said. “Their dedication and compassion were remarkable, and our community is better for their presence.”
Leaders say the moment captured the mission’s purpose.
“Moments like this underscore the mission’s focus on community safety and supporting local first responders,” said Col. Larry Doane, commander of Joint Task Force–District of Columbia. “When someone needs help, our Soldiers and Airmen don’t hesitate. Their compassion and quick action show what this mission is truly about.”
As the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission continues, scenes like the one witnessed that day highlight the National Guard’s steady presence across the city. For one resident who once doubted their role, that presence took on new meaning through a single act of service — revealing the human connection at the heart of the mission and the dedication behind the uniform.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2025 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 553618 |
| Location: | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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