Still in Haiti; Can you believe it?

Well it looks like my estimated time of return was incorrect. So wrong in fact that it would seem we have another month and a half left of this mission. It will be the most time I've been out at sea for one period, (without stepping foot on land). Hell of a way to end a tour on the LHD 5.

The mission has been long and is starting to wear us down. Tempers are short and we simply desire a date of return. Yep, we don't even know when we will be back home. The longest they can keep us here is till the end of March. The soonest I can depart Bataan is April 1st. I figure I'll ride this humanitarian ride till the end, and walk away with a week and a half off time before heading to school.

Wait! Hold the phone. When did Sailor Harry ever mention that he was destined to go to school? Whatever happened to Germany? Well, plans change. Seems the detailer allowed several people to go for the same orders in Germany and figured I wouldn't notice the change. Could be a heck of alot worse. Ended up with a really great school and shore orders to Tampa Bay, Florida. Not bad. Now the plan will be to buy a new car and get ready for one of the hardest physical challenges of my life.

That being said, I'll be in the Virginia/Maryland area for an extra three months, and will remain Stateside for the next three years. I also will go ahead and re-enlist, meaning I will keep on going with the Naval tradition. Whether I'm sure of it or not by now, I have a sure feeling that I'm probably going to make a 20-year career of this gig. Not exactly the worse way to live your life.

I guess I can talk about Haiti and the good works being done there. We've sent sailors ashore, along with the marines, and the blue side has pulled it's weight. We've cleared rubble at three orphanages/Christian missions and built temporary shelters for the people in Grand Goave. The people are very appreciative and so far we have been welcomed with open arms. The Creole translators ashore come back for debriefs with us and they all pretty much tell the same story.

1) The Haitians recognize where the aid is coming from.
2) They prefer the Americans presence over the UN and especially their own government.
3) A genuine feeling of abandonment from the Haitian government and police force.
4) Very appreciative of all the aid and help that's come so far.
5) Medical aid and water are the biggest concerns.
6) Those with families in America and Canada would like to live with them.

We obviously will still be here for the next several weeks. We are still getting big shipments of aid to distribute to the shore. The big priority of our mission is to find evidence that we can turn over to the UN and the other organizations. The military will not make this a permanent mission, but will make sure those that will remain there will have the capabilities and are capable to remain independent.

We all want to come home. The ship and personnel have been in a deployable status since January 2009. Yes, January 2009. Though the "deployment" was seven months, the ship has been in and out of Norfolk, underway conducting exercises and operations off the US coast. Deployment 2000-infinity continues!