By STAFF SGT. CHRISTOPHER HOLMES
Special to the Journal
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti, it was the son of a Bonaire couple who stepped in to help rush medical supplies, food and water to the region.
Army Spec. Roddy E. Nixon, son of Roddy E. Nixon Jr. and Kimberly Nixon of Saint Brendands Drive, Bonaire, is a parachute rigger with the 11th Quartermaster Company at Fort Bragg, N.C., who worked tirelessly to make sure the people of Haiti received the assistance they needed.
“I am providing the troops of the 82nd Airborne Division every thing they need to assist the people of Haiti with recovering from the earthquake,” said Nixon.
During the relief mission Nixon helped deliver more than 50,000 gallons of water, 375,000 meals ready to eat, 700 container delivery systems for air deliveries, and 200 pallets of supplies to Haiti.
“It is a big help to the Haitian people because they are in real need of the assistance,” said Nixon.
Thanks to Nixon, and other service members, tens of thousands of people in Haiti were able to survive in the weeks following the earthquake.
Helping make a difference is something he feels is the right thing to do.
“It is our job as Americans to help people when they need it,” said Nixon.
Recent natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the Pacific tsunami and the Haiti earthquake prove that Mother Nature rarely gives mankind a chance to prepare for her wrath. But for Nixon, and service members like him, helping pick up the pieces is always a short call away.
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