We have remarkable heroes in our midst!
Red Cross Volunteer Winnie Romeril of Bath and Dr. Ismail Mehr of St. James Hospital, Hornell, spoke movingly April 7th at the Arc of Steuben in Bath about their relief missions in Haiti this winter.
The event was sponsored by the Bath Peace & Justice Group and drew a small but deeply appreciative audience, including children.
No amount of new reports on TV or newspaper articles can possible convey the intensity of stories told by real live activists out in the field ‘telling you like it is’ without any agenda other than that of helping people survive.
The conditions, as we know, were appalling both for the Haitians and relief workers.
The situation in still dire with the onset of the rainy season when diseases are likely to take hold in the fragile tent cities.
Winnie Romeril praised the magnificent work done by the Haitian Red Cross before international help arrived. She also explained that they had previously trained 10,000 Haitians in first aid to prepare for emergencies.
Lastly, we think perhaps our graduating seniors, imbued with a strong sense of adventure and idealism, should consider humanitarian relief work in their future plans. It clearly offers minute by minute opportunities to deal with new situations fearlessly and creatively.
Yes, we have heroes in our midst and are truly thankful for them.
Mike and Rita Moretti
Hammondsport
Hammondsport, NY —
