US soldier returns to Haiti to help, finds family

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - At least three Haitian-Americans who are paratroopers in the North Carolina-based 82nd Airborne Division are helping in earthquake survivors in Haiti.

By: The Associated Press | WNCT
Published: January 18, 2010

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - At least three Haitian-Americans who are paratroopers in the North Carolina-based 82nd Airborne Division are helping in earthquake survivors in Haiti.
Staff Sgt. Junior Florestal is among those three, who are helping get sorely needed food, water and supplies to survivors of the earthquake that shattered Port-Au-Prince 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. The 33-year-old had left Haiti about 20 years ago.
He says he couldn't wait to return to Haiti and help. Since arriving Saturday, he's been translating for officers who coordinate relief efforts from the division's base on a hillside golf course.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)