Peyton Abernathy is giving Fairview citizens another reason to be prideful about their community.

Peyton, a 2012 Fairview High graduate, has been in Detroit, Mich. setting up temporary hospitals with the Army Corps of Engineers as an emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Currently, Peyton works as a project engineer for the Corps’ Nashville District. When the Detroit District reached out asking for support in building Alternate Care Facilities in Michigan, Peyton volunteered to assist on a temporary basis.

“On April 11, I transitioned to Novi, Mich. to begin my duties as project engineer at the Suburban Collection Showplace, a 250-bed ACF that is still under construction,” Peyton said.

That facility is estimated to be complete by April 20.

Prior to that, Peyton and her team worked on a 970-bed ACF.

“Both hospitals have a full med-gas (O2) system, negative air pressure system, nurse's stations, pharmacy, showers and restrooms, break rooms, locker rooms, and donning and doffing areas,” Peyton added.

This isn’t the first time she has helped during a time of emergency. In 2018, she was deployed to Puerto Rico to assist after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Working for the Army Corps of Engineers has become something of an Abernathy family tradition.

Her father, Mike Abernathy, worked in the Corps for 29 years.

“(He) had painted a great picture of life working for the ‘Corps’ throughout my entire life,” Peyton explained. “When it came time to start job hunting, my dream was to work at the Corps as well.”

That dream turned into reality in 2016, when Peyton became a student intern in the Regulatory Division. After graduating college, she was brought on as a full-time employee.

Peyton’s sister, Alison, also works for the Corps.

“It's now a family affair,” Peyton said.

Her family roots run deep in the Fairview community. She is the daughter of Mike and Tiffany Abernathy, granddaughter of Tommy and Teresa Abernathy, and great-granddaughter of the late Millard and Genie West; all Fairview residents.

Growing up in the community had a tremendous impact in influencing her path.

“All of my math and science teachers from FHS played a big role in my decision to pursue Civil Engineering as a career,” said Peyton, who graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 2017.

On April 21, Peyton expects to return home. But the contributions she has made during this time of uncertainty and crisis in America is not one that is lost on her.

“One of the Corps’ missions is Emergency Operations, so they are very supportive of emergency deployments, and I am proud that they afford me opportunities to contribute in a time of need.”

Even as the country seems divided, heroes such as Peyton are out there on the front lines, making a difference. When it comes to service, she doesn’t hesitate.

“I consider myself very patriotic, and emergency deployments are a great opportunity for me to serve my country as a civilian,” she said.