Local Navy man helping in Haiti

Page Last Updated: Tuesday February 9, 2010 6:08am PST

Dan Ball reporting

It’s been nearly one month since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the country of Haiti.

The death toll continues to climb into the tens of thousands as aid workers from the United States and around the world pour in to the poverty-stricken nation.

Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been raised to help rebuild the country and the U.S. military has soldiers and marines on the ground to assist.

Now, Navy ships and aircrafts are also dropping water and supplies into Haiti.

Stationed just off the coast of Haiti is the U.S.S. Bataan, an amphibious assault ship capable of transporting thousands of marines and dozens of aircraft.

Petty Officer Third Class John Yuasensi from North Las Vegas is currently aboard.

"Right before I left I called my mom and the first thing that she asked me was, ‘Are you going?’ I kind of want to help out. I’m trying to do my part, I hope it makes a difference."

In addition to bringing supplies to the devastated region, Yuasensi says his ship also transported 1,300 marines, bringing the total number of U.S. troops assisting in Haiti to over 10,000.

While on board, Yuasensi will ready supplies to be transported by helicopter to the mainland. Sometime later this week he also will head to shore to personally lend a helping hand.

“They are helping out the orphanage over there and distributing food and medical supplies.”

Back home, Yuasensi’s parents Greg and Magdalena, couldn’t be more proud of their son. The couple moved to America from the Philippines just seven years ago and three of their four children joined the Navy.

“Joining the Navy they learned a lot, they had to be on their own. They really improve a lot.”

Petty Officer Yuasensi says he hopes to take leave sometime in May to visit Las Vegas. But for now he’s focused on the mission at hand: helping the Haitians who can’t help themselves.

It’s unknown at this time how long the U.S.S. Bataan will be stationed in Haiti. In a recent statement issued to reporters, U.S. Naval Commander John Harvey said they will stay until the need has been met.

View News Archive »