I thought maybe, just perhaps, this might be a tiny bit of good news and offer some small hope.
As some of you already know from my past diaries and comments, my son-in-law is a medic in the military. He's been back in the states for a while now and had been told he would be leaving for Afghanistan this month. Well, there's been a rather abrupt change of plans.
My daughter called me and let me know, he is on his way to Haiti and expected to be there for at least a month. Over the next few days, more of our military will be headed there to join those already in Haiti.
I know from my son-in-law that he and his comrades in arms have received a lot of top notch training in their fields of expertise. There is a great deal this fine group of men and women can do to ease the incomprehensible suffering going on right now. They are eager and proud to do so. There are many talents they take with them that are positive and constructive, and not just those trained in healing, but engineers and many other professions.
I take some comfort in knowing that they go, not only in the service of their nation, but in the service of humanity.
It is at moments like these that I garner hope and encouragement, even as I weep and ache for the ongoing loss and pain being suffered in Haiti. Once again, America is sending some of her finest across the seas for a noble reason: to alleviate suffering and share her bounty with those who need it so desperately. While I harbor the hope that some day that is the only reason America sends her strength out, today I am grateful that they go for all the right reasons.
UPDATE: If you are looking for a way to help, please consider the Haitian Relief Fund (hat tip to MillieNeon) or Shelterboxes.
I had placed in here a comment about a relief agency that I personally had a good experience with, but some knowledgable Kossacks shared some further information with me about that group and I have deleted that reference.
UPDATE #2: Our President has just announced, the 82nd Airborne is on the ground in Haiti and more are coming!!! Good news, and I'm especially proud of the 82nd. "People of Haiti, you will not be foresaken, you will not be forgotten. Much, much more help is on the way." President Obama 1.14.10