21418: (Chamberlain) Marines in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

(US military media)


Combined Joint Task Force – Haiti names camp after one of its own

By Staff Sgt. Timothy S. Edwards


PORT-AU-PRINCE, (April 19, 2004) -- In a brief ceremony here April 13,
Combined Joint Task Force – Haiti’s commander, Marine Brig. Gen. Ronald S.
Coleman officially named his compound Camp Cintron.
The camp is named after Army Lt. Col. Norberto Cintron, an engineer with
the task force who played a pivotal role in CJTF-Haiti’s mission to assist
in providing safety and security and facilitating the delivery of
humanitarian assistance here.
“This is a great name and a great honor for a great soldier,” Coleman
stated. “If there was one most important person in this humanitarian
effort, it was Cintron.
“This person did wonders not only for us but for the Haitian people,” he
continued addressing the significance of name the camp after one of its
own. “I would like to able to go to every place he has made an impact and
name them Cintron.”
In response to this honor, engineer found himself humbled.
“I am left breathless and without words,” he explained. “I am very honored
and privileged. It is more than I think I deserve.”
Addressing Cintron’s worth, Coleman reflected on one of his first missions
for the engineer and stated that his drive to do well for the people was
his main contribution to the command.
“I saw that the Haitians [near the headquarters] had to walk long distances
to get water. I grabbed Cintron and asked if it was possible for us to run
our water line out to them. He said, ‘yes sir we can.’ I asked him how long
it would take and he said ‘24 hours.’
“I thought he was going to say days or weeks to get it out there but he
said 24 hours,” Coleman continued.
“That night, through the night you could hear the bulldozers working and in
under 24 hours they had water.”
Since that first project, Cintron was the main focal point for cleaning up
the national prison, refurbishment of both CJTF-Haiti’s and Marine Air
Ground Task Force-8’s compounds, refurbishment of the Killick Coast Guard
Base, coordinating of five wells in the community, and the procurement of
$300 thousand worth of medical supplies for the Haitian community.
“Just being here serving in this mission, being able to help in building a
better quality of life for the Haitian people and making things better here
is what we are all about,” Cintron stated. “I think this sentiment is
shared by all of us. I didn’t do this by myself. We have a lot of good
officers and soldiers helping me out.”
When describing Cintron, Coleman had two words, “Can Do.”
“His drive is phenomenal,” he explained. “There is not one thing that I
asked him to do that he didn’t do. He had even started the process of
getting electricity for the camp and the community.”
According to Cintron, the toughest part of his job was realizing that there
is only so much he could accomplish in three months.
“There is such a great need here,” he said. “Accepting that there is only
so much you can do for people is extremely tough.”
During the ceremony, attended by the Army General James Hill, U.S. Southern
Command’s commander, the engineer was also presented with the Joint Service
Commendation Medal for his achievements while here.
The medal wasn’t the best part of the job for the engineer though.
“The best part of the job was the satisfaction of seeing someone come up to
the water well to pick up water and seeing their smile,” he explained.
“That is the most satisfying part, being able to help people.”
Within days of the ceremony, Cintron returned to the states to deal with
personal health issues.
“Hopefully this presentation will also act as a motivator for him, give him
the encouragement and the will to get through,” Coleman stated.