Last week, the Texas State Guard played a pivotal role in Operation Border Health Preparedness, deploying over 100 troops to provide essential health services. These troops, who serve as doctors, nurses, EMTs, medics, and health professionals in their civilian lives, offered a wide range of no-cost health services to the community. Their contributions included behavioral health support, blood pressure screenings, car seat education and appointments, access to community resources, dental services, diabetes screenings, a food pantry, general medical exams, haircuts, hearing screenings, immunizations, liver function tests, mental health services, nutrition education, pharmacy education, prescription glasses, social services, sports physicals, STD testing, telehealth services, tobacco cessation education, veterinary services, and vision screenings. Designed to support low-income families, this initiative successfully delivered essential health services to thousands of residents in need.
The Commanding General of the Texas State Guard, Maj. Gen. Anthony Woods, along with the Command Sergeant Major of the Texas State Guard, Command Sergeant Major Harlan Thompson, visited the Rio Grande Valley center during the operation. They were there to personally thank the service members for their dedication and commitment to helping fellow Texans. Their visit underscored the importance of the mission and the profound impact of the Texas State Guard’s work in the community. Maj. Gen. Woods and Command Sergeant Major Thompson expressed their deep gratitude and pride in the troops’ efforts, highlighting the selfless service that defines the Texas State Guard.
During their visit, cadets from Rivera Early College High School Air Force JROTC provided a color guard for the conclusion of the mission. The cadets were asked to perform the presentation of colors during a recognition ceremony for the 2024 Operation Border Health Preparedness Exercise. Command Sergeant Major Thompson coined the Color Guard members in recognition of their exemplary service. The Mighty Raider Band, featuring Cadet M. Saenz, also performed, adding to the ceremony’s significance and celebration.
From Command Sergeant Major Harlan Thompson:
On Thursday, I travelled to Brownsville, TX with MG Anthony Woods, BG Joe D Cave and WO1 Jason Zachman for the VIP Day for Operation Border Health Preparedness. This year marked the 25th year that the Texas State Guard, Texas Department of State Health Services and various other state, county and local agencies provide needed Healthcare support to community members in the Rio Grande Valley. An Air Force Junior ROTC color guard presented colors for the ceremony. I had the opportunity to speak with them for a couple of minutes and tell them of my decades long connection to the Air Force. I also presented each member of the team with a challenge coin. I really like talking to young men and women that decide to put on a uniform in high school and show patriotism.
Rivera Early College High School AFJROTC TX-922 Cadet Corps Group.
Cadets were asked to perform the presentation of colors during a recognition ceremony for the 2024 Operation Border Health Preparedness Exercise. The Color Guard members were coined by Command Sergeant Major Thompson from the Texas State Guard. The Mighty Raider Band also performed and included Cadet M. Saenz.
YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT SUCCESS IF YOU DO NOT SHOW UP.
Here is a video from ABC 5 News regarding the mission:
This morning PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias and some of his Cabinet Members visited Operation Border Health Preparedness (OBHP) at PSJA ECHS to thank all the partners for their commitment to our community!
Through this annual exercise, PSJA ISD’s Response Team has gained invaluable emergency preparedness experience allowing us to open shelters when needed and serve as an approved COVID-19 Vaccine provider during the pandemic.
As part of the event, hundreds of community members, including PSJA ISD families, can receive much-needed FREE medical, vision, and dental services. PSJA ISD is the only site in the RGV that offers dental and vision services for families.
