From relying on food to delivering it: Ohio National Guard Soldier shares story of becoming U.S. citizen

We all need a positive story in the age of coronavirus.  Spc. Jacque Elama, born in a refugee camp in Africa’s Democratic Republic of Congo, is giving back to his community during the coronavirus pandemic as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, writes Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker in a profile for DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service).

When he was nine years old, Elama and his family arrived in the U.S., initially relying on community donations for support. In 2017, he joined the Ohio National Guard. “Today, I’m helping those in need and it’s personal to me,” he said. “My family was in need when we arrived in the U.S. and all kinds of people helped us. I finally have a way to pay it forward by helping those in need in my community.”

KJ