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Kearsarge Hosts Haitian Prime Minister

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080910-16
Release Date: 9/10/2008 1:57:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amy Kirk, Continuing Promise 2008 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE (NNS) -- The prime minister of Haiti visited the amphibious ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Sept. 9, to express thanks and gratitude to the Sailors and the Navy for its part in providing disaster relief support to her country and its people.

During her visit, Michele Pierre-Louis told Kearsarge Commanding Officer, Capt. Walter Towns, that she was impressed with the crew's dedication and hard work in getting much needed supplies to the citizens.

Towns explained that so many Sailor's have volunteered to help that those organizing the working parties have to turn away volunteers.

"What we saw flying over the country was so much damage and devastation to a beautiful country," said Capt. Fernandez "Frank" Ponds, mission commander, Continuing Promise 2008. "It's hard for us to grasp it all. You can't help but be choked up. We are here now to help our neighbors, our friends. We are glad to do what we can to help."

During a tour of the ship, Louis met with four Sailors from Haiti serving aboard Kearsarge.

"She was very appreciative of us," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Pierre Toussaint. "It was a great honor to meet her. She thanked us for our part in this evolution, working as translators so we can build a better relationship between the ship and the country."

On Sept. 5, U.S. Southern Command directed Commander, 4th Fleet to divert Kearsarge from its humanitarian/civic assistance mission, Continuing Promise 2008, in the Caribbean to assist the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Any U.S. military assistance to a foreign nation must be requested by the host nation through the U.S. ambassador. Then, as the lead federal agent, USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance fields the request and asks the Department of Defense for military assistance, if needed.