Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton | Seaman Jean Berson Petitfrere, a boatswain's mate, originally from Port-au-Prince,...... read more read more
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By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton
Operation Unified Response Public Affairs
KILLICK, Haiti — Two USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) Sailors, born and raised in Haiti, were reunited with family members and loved ones Jan. 19 as they came ashore to assist their countrymen.
Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW) Josue Jean, an operations specialist, and Seaman Jean Berson Petitfrere, a boatswain's mate, had wondered if their family members had survived the Jan. 12 7.0-magnitude quake that struck the country they once called home for most of their lives.
"When I got word about the earthquake my heart literally stopped," said Jean, born and raised in Limbe, Haiti. "I tried calling because it was my mother and sister. I felt helpless."
Petitfrere, born and raised in Port-au-Prince, also tried calling, as his fiancé was in Port-au-Prince at the time of the quake.
"After I heard about the quake I was very worried," he said. "Just like Jean, I tried calling but got nothing. I was also worried because I knew the ship would be leaving on deployment three days later."
Petitfrere eventually did get word his finance and sister were alive and well; Jean still had no word.
It wasn't until the day before Gunston Hall was scheduled to depart Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story as the centerpiece for Africa Partnership Station West, that the ship's crew received word they would be heading south to help with relief efforts as part of Operation Unified Response.
"When they told us we were going to help out I was so happy," said Petitfrere. "It was a huge relief."
When he told his parents, who live in Florida, that Gunston Hall was being diverted to aid in relief efforts, "they were so happy and told me they would pray for me."
Once Jean got ashore, he gave his cell phone number to people he met at the base, asking them to try to get it to family members.
Hours later, his phone rang.
"I answered it and it was my sister," he said.
Jean was reunited with his mother and sister, and Petitfrere with his fiancé and sister, at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base here.
"I am so happy right now I don't know what to say," said Jean. "This is a blessing."
Petitfrere laughed and joked with his fiancé after a long embrace.
"She's my angel," he said. "I'm so happy."
Both Sailors consoled the other through the ordeal, never once giving up hope.
"Jean and I talked about how this wasn't luck, but a blessing," said Petitfrere.
Both are now helping with relief efforts at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base, acting as interpreters and helping out as needed.
"It means a lot to me to be able to do what I can for people back home," said Jean.
Gunston Hall, a Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship, was diverted from its original Africa Partnership Station West mission and is currently conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response offshore near the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base. The ship recently completed a mid-life modernization availability. The work included major upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and machinery control system, propulsion systems, HVAC, as well as replacement of the ship's boilers and evaporators with an all-electric services system.
Africa Partnership Station West is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2010 10:28 |
| Story ID: | 44887 |
| Location: | KILLICK, HT |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 202 |
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