Peach Tree Times

Last month, Georgia National Guard troops were deployed to lend critical support to Tanner Health System.

In August, following Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's emergency order to deploy more than 100 Georgia National Guard troops to healthcare facilities across the state, Tanner submitted a request for much-needed support, according to a news release. In response to the request, 18 National Guard troops were deployed to give support to the health system’s nutrition services and environmental services teams.

"Throughout the pandemic, my administration has been laser-focused on ensuring hospitals across Georgia have the resources they need," Kemp wrote in a Sept. 22 Twitter post. "Our recent efforts wouldn’t have been possible without the remarkable men & women of the @GeorgiaGuard. Thanks for all you do for our state!"

The unit assigned to Tanner will be deployed at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica through Dec. 3, but that deployment can be extended as needed.

"We are grateful to have the National Guard’s support," Loy Howard, president and CEO for Tanner Health System, said in the press release. "Throughout this pandemic, Gov. Kemp has been keenly interested in making sure hospitals in Georgia have the resources they need to get through this. It means a great deal to us to have these men and women in uniform here to help as our community struggles through this COVID crisis."

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Camp and 1st Lt. Joshua Julien, officer in charge, from the HHC 2-121 Infantry Battalion of Forsyth, Georgia, were among the unit's leadership.