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20 Throughout 2020, Michigan Army National Guard Sgt. John Toomey helped defend his community in his role as a civilian nurse practitioner in the intensive care unit (ICU) treating COVID-19 cases in his area. In early 2021, he moved to the COVID-19 offense and joined the vaccine mission the Michigan National Guard began organizing in the northern part of the state.
“At the time the mission was offered, what mattered most was that it allowed me an opportunity to help fight against the disease,” said Toomey, a Marquette resident. “I saw so much of it while working in the hospital, so once the vaccination came out, I just wanted to help get as many people protected as possible.”
21 Battle Creek, Mich. National Guard members join the military for various reasons. For some, it could be simply to serve their community, state or nation, to secure financial aid for college or to gain valuable work experience. One member of the Michigan Air National Guard (MIANG) pursued enlistment with the National Guard to secure affordable health insurance for his family.
Before enlisting in the MIANG, Senior Airman Bob Devisser spent eight years in the Marines. After his enlistment ended, he took a break to focus on spending time with family and a small business, but he found his way back into uniform shortly thereafter.
21 KALAMAZOO, Mich. With dreams of becoming a pilot, one Michigan National Guard (MING) Soldier is taking advantage of the National Guard Minuteman Scholarship while attending the Army’s ROTC program at Western Michigan University (WMU).
Born and raised in the Detroit metropolitan area, Army ROTC Cadet Carly Ness has always had a love for flying with aspirations of becoming a pilot.
“My grandfather owns two airplanes and I grew up around them,” she said. “I am completely fascinated by airplanes and it turned into a big passion of mine.”
“To pursue my major in aviation flight science while serving in the National Guard feels like I’m returning to my roots, like everything has come full circle,” said Ness.