PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI-- The Undersecretary of the Army, the Hon. Joseph W. Westphal, along with Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, commander of Joint Task Force-Haiti, paid a visit March 18, to Joint Logistics Command-Haiti to speak with service members deployed in support of Operation Unified Response, the humanitarian aid/ disaster relief effort in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
After receiving a briefing outlining the mission of JLC-H at the 377th Theater Sustainment Command headquarters from JLC-H commanding general, Maj. Gen. Luis R. Visot , Westphal took the floor and opened a dialogue with the service members present. He began by thanking the families of those deployed for allowing the US government to borrow their services to help our neighbor in need- Haiti. He spoke of the way ahead for Haiti and the US military forces supporting the humanitarian aid/disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
"You think you understand the situation sitting in your office back home, but you can't really know what's going until you are on the ground," Westphal said. "Only by being here and traveling through the streets can you really understand the challenges the people of Haiti face as they try to rebuild their country." He then asked the troops directly what they thought Haiti needed most.
Sgt. Joseph Greem, of Orlando, Fla., a Haitian-born Soldier serving as an interpreter for JLC-H said, "We need to help the Haitians help themselves. Do not just give them food, but also teach them how to get food on their own. They need for us to show them how to survive once we are gone. The people of Haiti are good people, they can learn."
After listening to comments from several other service members the Undersecretary pointed out, "You are, all of you [as he motioned to everyone in the tent], because of who you are, the best ambassadors the US can have. You have experienced firsthand what Haiti is facing. Take the message with you. Tell others about the difference we can and are making in Haiti."
He thanked the service members for taking up the challenge to help. He then awarded some Soldiers who have performed well with his coin before departing to visit other locations.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2010 16:04 |
| Story ID: | 46938 |
| Location: | PORT-AU-PRINCE, HT |
| Web Views: | 677 |
| Downloads: | 592 |
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