US soldier returns to Haiti to help, finds family

[IndianaGreen]

Sgt. Junior Florestal, center,
from 1st Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division, talks to a Haitian
man in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday,
Jan. 17, 2010.

US soldier returns to Haiti to help, finds family
Updated: Jan 18, 2010 11:51 AM EST

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Junior Florestal left Haiti when he was 13 for a better life in the United States. He long promised to return, but it took an earthquake to bring him back.

"I'd always wanted to come," the 33-year-old U.S. Army staff sergeant said Sunday. "But I didn't want to come in this way."

Florestal is one of at least three Haitian-American paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division helping get sorely needed food, water and supplies to survivors of the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that shattered this capital city last Tuesday. His unit learned it would leave the following day, giving Florestal hope he could both bring aid and track down dozens of relatives living in Port-au-Prince and in villages surrounding the capital.

"I was ready to go that day," he said. "When I was watching it on TV in the States, I couldn't wait to get back here and help out."

Florestal joined the Army in 1996 and has served twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. Trained to be a cook, he's fluent in Creole. Since arriving Saturday has been translating for officers who coordinate relief efforts from the division's base on a hillside golf course.

"It helps to have someone with a similar background," said Capt. John Hartsock, who has been overseeing food distribution with the Fort Bragg, North Carolina-based division.

Quake survivors implore the soldiers in halting English for more food and water and for medical help. Florestal responds in Creole — and surprised Haitians waiting in lines slap him on the back and shake his hand.

"They feel good that there are Haitians in the U.S. Army," he said.

http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=11839507

[Angry Dragon]

1. They should send

all Haitian military that want to go and help.