Rep. Max Rose will deploy with Staten Island National Guard amid coronavirus

Rep. Max Rose will deploy with the National Guard beginning Thursday to assist with the coronavirus response in his home district of Staten Island, the congressman announced.

Rose (D-NY) said Tuesday he will serve as an operations officer in Staten Island-based facilities beginning April 1.

The House Democrat has the rank of captain in the Army National Guard.

“Over the past month I have seen acts of incredible bravery and sacrifice by our first responders, nurses, doctors, and essential workers who never thought they’d be on the front lines of a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rose said.

“My activation and deployment is nothing compared to what our city, state, and country has asked of all them. And it’s certainly nothing compared to the other men and women serving in uniform both here at home and overseas. I am just trying to do my duty and my small part.”

Rose’s office said it anticipates the deployment will last for a matter of weeks, likely through the worst of the outbreak.

The congressman will be stationed at either the South Beach Psychiatric Center or the College of Staten Island. Both are being converted into emergency centers to combat the outbreak.

Rose’s statement added a note of praise for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, crediting him for “identifying and securing these critical sites for Staten Island.”

The New York Democrat served as an active-duty Army officer in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013, for which he earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge. He continued to serve in the Guard after being elected to the House in 2018.

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