Photo By Emily McCamy | A forklift moved 14 pallets of humanitarian aid onto USS Kearsarge, one box at a time,...... read more read more
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By Emily Russell
Joint Task Force - Guantanamo
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA – Joint Task Force - Guantanamo and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay residents pulled together to support Haiti after Hurricane Ike ravaged the country, leaving many people desperate for help.
Troopers and civilians donated used clothes and new items like diapers, baby wipes, and formula purchased from the Navy Exchange here, and dropped them at designated collection sites where they were picked up by chaplains and volunteers.
"The [plan] to support the people of Haiti with humanitarian aid was put into motion almost immediately," said Harriot Johnston, a Guantanamo Bay resident and member of the Catholic Chapel Council. "The idea was conceived on a Tuesday night, and the community responded quickly."
During a Catholic Chapel Council meeting Navy Cmdr. Toby Swain, the Naval Station's supply officer, came up with the idea of getting the community to donate comfort items like blankets, toys and anything that Haitian people needed in the wake of the storm.
"When I found out that [Navy amphibious ship] USS Kearsarge was making a port visit here and would be returning to Haiti, I suggested to Father Aguilera [JTF and Naval Station Catholic chaplain] that we collect donations from the community for Kearsarge to take back with them," said Swain. "[Aguilera] coordinated with Kearsarge's chaplain and Harriot Johnston got the community involved."
"I sent e-mails out to the school parents, Gitmo Spouse Club and it just went on from there," said Johnston. "Father Sal sent [the e-mail] out to the commands, JTF chaplains and the hospital."
The very first donation, consisting of pillows and children's clothing, was from a JTF trooper eager to help.
"It was amazing how quickly [troopers reacted]," said Father Sal Aguilera, JTF and Naval Station Chaplain. "Troopers were over at the Navy Exchange buying pillows, clothes ... they don't have much here but it didn't mean they weren't [willing] to go to the NEX and buy stuff. It was incredible. The troopers [also] spread the word among the [JTF] and generated more interest."
The outpouring of support resulted in 14 pallets of donated goods.
The Navy Exchange also got involved by placing a box in front of the store encouraging people to purchase new items and leave them in the box. The NEX also donated older merchandise, like clothing, and shoes still in stock from previous seasons and no longer for sale.
"We're just glad we could do our part to help the people of Haiti through this tragedy," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremy Crandall who volunteered his time to support the mission.
Crandall, along with Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Thompson and Army Staff Sgt. Difred Pascual spent time Friday consolidating bags of goods into the containers and onto the pallets. Once all the items were packed up, it was just a matter of time until the pallets were loaded onto the back of a cargo truck.
The donated goods were transported from the parking lot at the Naval Station's chapel and loaded onto the ship. Within a little over an hour's time, the goods were loaded and ready for transport.
"It's really become an event and we're proud the Gitmo community has taken this action," said Johnston. "People can't do enough for Haiti."
JTF, the Naval Station and USS Kearsarge chaplains and chaplain assistants coordinated efforts to make the mission happen.
"Our mission is humanitarian assistance and disaster response," said USS Kearsarge chaplain Navy Lt. Michael O'Bannon. "[Kearsarge] is making a difference – we're providing food to eat. Without aid, they'd have nothing in the affected areas. We appreciate the donations [from Gitmo]–the supplies will be delivered to people in Haiti who need them."
The timing of Kearsarge's arrival played an integral part in the effort by providing transportation and distribution of the goods Guantanamo residents donated. However the widespread community support and quick action of many individuals made the mission a success.
"I was surprised by the phenomenal support of both volunteers and those who donated," said JTF Chaplain, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clinton Pickett. "There was a very short timeline, and yet they far exceeded my expectations. It is gratifying and humbling to see how people open their hearts in situations like this."
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2008 10:50 |
| Story ID: | 24328 |
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| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 187 |
This work, Helping Haiti: U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Community Bolts to Action to Support Those in Need, by Emily McCamy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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