North Carolina Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Nakava Kibunzi, assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 113th Sustainment Brigade, reviews incoming medical supply orders for future distribution at a warehouse in Central N.C., July 07, 2020. The NCNG is working with North Carolina Emergency Management, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and local food banks to help support COVID-19 relief efforts. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Hannah Tarkelly, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment/Released).
North Carolina Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Nakava Kibunzi, assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 113th Sustainment Brigade, reviews incoming medical supply orders for future distribution at a warehouse in Central N.C., July 07, 2020. The NCNG is working with North Carolina Emergency Management, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and local food banks to help support COVID-19 relief efforts. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Hannah Tarkelly, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment/Released).
It was a blistering hot day in the mountains of Asheville when North Carolina Army National Guard Pvt. 1st Class Bennie Kinley and Spc. Enrique Acevedo were handing out meals to the children of Buncombe County. Suddenly, a mother within the neighborhood graciously offered the two hard working Guardsmen ice cream in an effort to cool them down as the temperature continued to rise.
This simple scoop of kindness showcased a turning point in the developing relationship between these service members and the local community. It was more than just ice cream. It was an offering or a symbol of established trust.
“It shows the trust and strength between these programs and the communities,” Acevedo said. “They seem to be more...
