Remaining Fort Bragg Soldiers return home from Haiti

By Eve Meinhardt
Paraglide

Dylan Drumheller, 3, walked around Pope Air Force Base’s Green Ramp Tuesday, behind his mother, Christi, as she pushed a stroller through the benches. The benches were filled with Soldiers and Family members anxiously awaiting the arrival of the plane carrying 116 members of the 65th Military Police Company home from Haiti.

In his hand, Dylan clutched two balloons decorated with the stars and stripes. He waved to every Soldier in uniform he passed and showed them his balloons, telling them “these are for my dad.” When he and his mom sat down, Dylan moved closer to the Soldier sitting next to them. Dylan then put his arm around the man in uniform and struck up a conversation,
proudly sharing that his dad was coming home from “Haitees.”

Christi said that the entire Family was anxious for her husband, 2nd Lt. Jacob Drumheller ,to come home. She said Dylan was slightly disappointed that his dad would be landing in the plane instead of jumping out of it, though.

The 65th MP Co. deployed to Haiti Jan. 22, to provide humanitarian aid to the people after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the country Jan. 12. During their first six weeks in country, the paratroopers helped distribute 6,620 meals ready to eat, 24,670 bags of rice, 3,124 bottles of water and 9,098 Family kits containing one, 123-pound bag of rice, one gallon of cooking oil and a month’s supply of dried vegetables. They also distributed comfort items, including radios, hygiene kits and shelters.

Captain Maurice Green, commander, 65th MP Co., said he was proud of his Soldiers and the mission they performed.

“Going to Haiti was a different experience than deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Green. “There was so much devastation there and we got to see the fruits of our labors first-hand. Watching a smile form on a kid’s face when you gave him the food his Family needed ... that’s the most rewarding thing you can ask for.”

In addition to providing food and water, the MPs also helped relocate over 2,700 people from at-risk camps to established camps. The company also conducted customs operations and worked with the Secret Service when former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush visited, as well as during the visits of First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.

Canadian Brig. Gen. Nicolas Matern, deputy commanding general of operations, XVIII Airborne Corps, said the return of the 65th MP Co. had special meaning for him since he had just spent time with them in Haiti a few weeks ago.

“It was a job well done,” said Matern. “We all owe you a debt of gratitude for what you did to help the people of Haiti.”

The 65th MP Co. is the last of Fort Bragg’s Soldiers to redeploy from Haiti as part of Operation Unified Response.

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