Crossville Guardsmen Uses Medical Training In Fight Against COVID

One Crossville man went above and beyond his duty as a Tennessee National Guardsmen when the fight against the pandemic began.

Specialist Anthony Spencer said that when he received the call to go and help on the frontlines of COVID-19, he was ready to use his medical training with the guard to aid where he could.

“To try and do what we could to fight this COVID,” Spencer said. “We didn’t know at the time what exactly that would entail, it was just a simple phone call, ‘Are you ready,’ and the answer is ‘Yes.'”

Spencer said he has been a part of the mission in its entirety, from testing to vaccinations. Starting in Jackson County performing tests, he eventually made his way into larger counties like Wilson.

He said that he’s both proud and grateful that this is something he has been able to be a part of since the beginning.

“We started vaccinations around the middle of December in Wilson County, and we were seeing as many people as we could in a day,” Spencer said. “That was just getting as many vaccines in arms [as possible.] It’s been really nice to actually be able to use my medical training through the army on this mission.”

Spencer also serves on Boy Scout’s Great Smoky Mountain Council. He said that as we see the light at the end of the tunnel to the pandemic, he’s excited to resume his duties as the Eagle Creek District Executive and prepare young people for the future.