When disaster strikes, Mountain State residents know we can rely on the West Virginia National Guard for help. Most of the time, that involves short-term emergencies such as floods.

But since early last spring, more than 400 men and women of the Guard have been steadfast in helping us with another disaster — COVID-19.

Guard members have administered more than 50,000 COVID-19 tests, distributed more than 19.3 million pieces of protective gear and helped hundreds of nursing homes and other businesses fight back against the epidemic.

“If there is a state with a better National Guard, I’d love to see it, because our guardsmen and women in West Virginia are champions beyond belief and they’ve done an incredible job,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “All West Virginians should be so thankful and so grateful that we have them. We’re going to continue to use them and I know they won’t quit until this is over and neither will I.”

Once again, then, West Virginians have reason to be grateful to — and immensely proud of — our neighbors and co-workers serving in the National Guard. They are serving on the frontlines of a battle it is unlikely they expected, bur for which they were, as always, prepared.

Thank you, folks, for your steadfast dedication.