By Luke Waack
Assistant editor

I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am exceptionally proud of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service to the people and nation of Haiti.

In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, Jan. 12, that killed and maimed hundreds of thousands and left an already troubled economy in ruin, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are there.

By land, sea and air they are working around the clock to provide relief to the estimated 3 million people affected, the 1 million homeless and the 300,000 children younger than 2 years old who need food.

News reports have described the relief effort as calm in most cases, in spite of destruction and decay that must be overpowering to human senses.

Service members have provided that security — a priceless commodity in such a devastated landscape — so that the World Food Program could peacefully distribute 8 million meals to 400,000 people.

At the same time, troops have distributed their own MREs. They are an outstanding example of the American spirit of giving.

Thankfully, the world at large has responded to Haiti’s disaster and will continue to provide aid for years to come, with our service members included in the efforts. No doubt, Soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood will end up in Haiti, at some point, to help with the relief and reconstruction efforts.

And while some “nay-sayers” may question the Department of Defense’s level of involvement in the Caribbean country — claiming we have invaded — I am totally confident that if we had done any less, the same groups would have been carping about us not doing enough.

Airmen were needed to re-establish a functional airport and guide 130 to 150 flights arriving every day at the single-runway Port-au-Prince airport with aid. Soldiers and Marines were needed to maintain order as the hungry lined up for food.

Sailors and Coast Guard personnel provided support from the sea. The U.S. Navy Ship Comfort can handle 1,000 patients and since it arrived off the coast of Haiti Jan. 19, it has been stressed to the limits, giving medical attention to the wounded. The Navy and Coast Guard has also evacuated Haitians to safety.

Even though the big quake is over, the danger has not completely passed; Haiti has been shaken by at least 50 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or higher.

In the face of such danger, only the U.S. military is capable and willing to provide the muscle and the heart necessary to get the job done.

The U.S. military is one of our country’s greatest assets; never before have so few sacrificed so much for the good of the tired huddled masses. Thank you for your service.