Outskirts Press, INC.

On January 12, 2010, Haiti was rocked by a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0—and then by 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater. All told, nearly three million people were affected. The Haitian government reported that an estimated 316,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured, and 1,000,000 were homeless. They also estimated that 250,000 homes and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged. Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid, dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers, and support personnel. Ronald James McMiller Jr., a career naval officer, was spending the evening with his family when he heard the news, and he immediately knew he had to help. The naval command where he was stationed helped pave the way. In a morning meeting, McMiller’s commander told him to start making plans for a Joint Maritime Preposition Operation (ships that are preloaded in case of a worldly event that needs immediate attention). He was both anxious and nervous—and he had no idea what he was getting himself into. My 34-Day Memoir of Haiti is a compilation of McMiller’s journal entries from his time in Haiti. It offers a glimpse of the tragedies and horrors he witnessed, the people who touched his heart, and the inspiration he gained from the sight of volunteers from all over the world working together with one mission in mind: helping others in times of need. Even when you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold. (Psalms 68:13)

22nd day in Haiti To me: The smell of last night’s burned trash looms in the hazy air; good morning! This is the day that the Lord made so we should give a shout of blessing! I sit at my normal morning spot. I hear the sounds of singing voices from the fishermen on the sea, and above their heads fly a flight of flamingos in a military V formation. It is going to be a good day! I have not seen the news in weeks, so I wonder if Haiti is still being pushed or some new topic is going on. Haiti is a country torn, and has been for years. They had a bad hurricane a few years ago and now this earthquake. These brothers and sisters have to be strong, for the Lord knows that they need it too! It is 15:48 and I am again sitting here listening to updates and awaiting my turn to brief. Today is a light day which is good, but I have a feeling it will take a turn for the worse. The meeting ended about the same time as yesterday with the duplicate saying, “we are waiting for the re-deployment order.” I guess I should have been listening more, but instead I was thinking about the junior Sailors who did not get the chance to go out in town and see some of the damage. After the meeting I ask my senior officer if I can take his truck. I explain to him that I am going to take a group of Sailors out for a burger. He laughs and says, “No problem, the keys are on the desk.” “Time to transfer youth into wisdom” Ronald J. McMiller Jr