COMMENTARY: American greatness exemplified in Haiti

  • Published
  • By Kari Tilton
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH --  I've never felt more proud to be an American than I did in the late-night hours Jan. 22 as I watched several Airmen prepare some very precious cargo for delivery to the United States.

The scene unfolded on a C-17 aircraft parked on the dark airport ramp in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Outside, a group of weary orphan children and their caretakers waited to climb aboard. Inside, the aircrew from March Air Reserve Base's 452nd Air Mobility Wing scrambled to set up additional seats.

I was onboard as a public affairs escort for news media covering the deployment of 15 personnel from the 419th Fighter Wing who will help restore operations at the overwhelmed airport and pave the way for increased delivery of humanitarian aid.

I was happy to get word that the aircraft was cleared to transport the awaiting passengers on our return trip to the U.S. For the beleaguered group, the C-17 and U.S. Air Force personnel symbolized hope. Relief washed over their faces when they were told they could board the colossal aircraft.

The children - 23 in all - ranged in age from several months to 12 years old. Many rubbed their tired eyes and several had already given in to the drowsiness and were fast asleep - without a care in the world - in the arms of their escorts. The group was quiet as they boarded. These would be their final steps on a journey that had started so abruptly two weeks earlier. In less than two hours they would be on U.S. soil.

I was honored and humbled as the aircrew and ground personnel helped carry the children onboard and prepare them for the flight. The little ones outnumbered the clearly exhausted adults, who seemed relieved for the extra sets of hands.

For me, it was an emotional scene. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to think about what these helpless children had endured. It was overwhelming to realize through great adversity they would be delivered to a land of untold promise.

Tears welled up in my eyes as Lt. Col. Randon Draper, deployed with the 621st Contingency Response Wing, carefully carried several orphans onboard the C-17 as though they were his own children. One by one, he placed them in their seats, cautiously adjusted and buckled their seatbelts, and then placed foam hearing protection into their tiny ears.

Senior Airman Joshua Osterbur, a Raven with the 62nd Security Forces Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., held the tiny hand of a boy and shortened his steps to match the toddlers stride as he walked the child to his seat. He was followed by crew chief Master Sgt. Lee Markos, who carried a large box of diapers, and loadmaster Master Sgt. Jim Madrid, who brought in a baby seat. Others handed out water bottles and blankets.

A large U.S. flag hung from the airlifter's ceiling and served as the perfect backdrop. It was heartwarming to see these Air Force personnel treat the children with such care and concern.

As we touched down in Orlando, Fla., just after midnight, one of the escorts leaned over and whispered, "Welcome to America," to a 12-year-old girl. What amazing words.

As I stood back and watched the group walk off the aircraft, I wondered how one day the children would recount the story of how they came to be Americans and if they'd remember the men in uniform who had so aptly exemplified America's greatness.

Throughout the past couple of weeks, I've heard many people wonder aloud whether there is hope for Haiti. One need only look into the eyes of the tiny, helpless orphans as they were carried onboard the C-17 that night for an answer.

There is hope for Haiti, and it is currently being realized, in great part, through the hard work, dedication and kindness of our men and women in uniform.