by Tech. Sgt. Brian Bahret
Joint Information Bureau Homestead
AFL.mil
[hi-res photo]

1/28/2010 – HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) — National Football League representatives visited Airmen, civilians and earthquake victims Jan. 27 at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

The visit, which was unannounced, was a surprise to many and helped lighten the mood during ongoing relief efforts.

“They didn’t expect us at all,” said Julie Warner, a line captain for the New England Patriots cheerleaders.

Ms. Warner was one of seven Pro Bowl cheerleaders and two team mascots who visited the base. According to NFL officials, other cheerleaders visited locations throughout southern Florida.

Ms. Warner said she enjoyed meeting the men and women at Homestead ARB. She and the other NFL representatives visited people at the base’s evacuation reception center, the deployment processing center and locations on the flightline.

“It was rewarding to chat with them to see where they’re from and how they’re feeling and tell them thanks for all they do,” she said.

Airmen from across the United States have gathered at Homestead ARB to support the relief efforts. Since Jan. 15, Airmen here have delivered more than 2 million pounds of supplies to Haiti.

Additionally Airmen, U.S. Customs officials, American Red Cross workers and a variety of emergency professionals from across the United States have welcomed more than 3,000 evacuees here, helping them connect with friends, family and loved ones in the United States.

The NFL has held a close relationship with the U.S. military by supporting servicemembers whether at their home stations or while deployed to combat operations or humanitarian relief efforts.

Tiffany Pearl, the Miami Dolphins cheerleading squad captain, said her years with the Dolphins have created opportunities she deeply appreciates.

“We get to do these incredible events,” said the four-year NFL veteran. “One of them is reaching out to the community and coming here to the Homestead military base.”

Ms. Pearl has conducted two overseas tours to visit servicemembers.

“I feel like the U.S. forces are everywhere. When anybody needs help we’re there to help,” said the 24-year-old cheerleader. “It says a lot about our country and I’m really proud to be an American and to see what you do and support you and show you how much I care. I personally am such a geek about everything that has to do about military and enjoy anything that we can do to participate and bring joy into these guys’ lives because they do such an amazing job helping people.”

Not all the military guests present were from the United States. South Korean Lt. Col. Chang Lee, the South Korean army military liaison for U.S. Southern Command, was waiting at the Homestead ARB deployment processing center for a military airlift flight to Haiti when the NFL cheerleaders visited.

“I’ve saw [sic] them on TV, but I’ve never been to the football game,” he said, his English heavily accented by his native language. “It feels like they wanted to encourage the soldier. It’s a good job.”

Engineers from the South Korean army are deploying to Haiti to help rebuild the country’s infrastructure. Colonel Chang is the advance officer for a 250-person team of South Korean engineers joining Operation Unified Response, the multinational relief that more than 20,000 U.S. servicemembers are currently supporting.

Colonel Chang said everyone needs a morale boost right now.

“Everyone needs a good mood, a good feeling,” he said. “Right now (the cheerleaders) make us happy for a while.”

Along with Colonel Chang, Army Soldiers from the 377th Theater Sustainment Command were awaiting transportation to Haiti when the NFL visitors arrived.

Army Reserve Col. Sam Pearson, the 377th TSC support operations officer, said his tour in Haiti will be his fourth deployment. His last three were to Afghanistan and Iraq.

“This time instead of defeating tyranny, we’re going down to assist a bunch of folks who need some help,” he said.

Like most military members deployed to Haiti, Colonel Pearson doesn’t know how long his command will remain in country, but he believes the experience will be rewarding.

“I think this is a long-term opportunity for us to work with the Haitian government,” said Colonel Pearson, an Alabama resident. “This is a good opportunity to … develop that relationship so they can feel confident that when they have a problem we’ll be available to help out.”

Visiting with the NFL cheerleaders and seeing their genuine support helped boost morale for the Louisiana-based unit, he said. He said when the military is deployed it’s usually for a dynamic mission under uncertain conditions and usually under tense circumstances.

“When you have the cheerleaders or any other organization that comes in and lightens the spirit, that’s a really good opportunity for the Soldiers to get the mission off of their mind, and that’s critical,” he said. “They have to have a release and this is one of the best ways to do it.”

Like most of the Airmen and civilians deployed to Homestead ARB supporting relief operations, Staff Sgt. Brandon Saludares left his home with very little notice and he’s unsure of when he’ll return to Beale Air Force Base, Calif.

“I’m away from my family right now and working long hours and crazy shifts,” he said. “For the NFL cheerleaders to come out and give up a morale booster, it’s wonderful and really helps out while we’re deployed.”

Senior Airman Mitchell Kincaid, an aerial porter from the 73rd Aerial Port Squadron from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base at Fort Worth, Texas, agreed.

“I’m a Charger fan; born and raised,” he said. “It was nice having one of the Charger cheerleaders out here from home. It’s nice when stuff like this goes on and breaks things up a little bit.”

Airman Kincaid is one of 180 Airmen deployed to Homestead ARB. He helps load supplies destined to Haiti and off load Haitian earthquake victims as they arrive here on military airlift aircraft.

“It’s pretty cool to see that people are thinking about us and want to come out and hang out with us,” he said. “It’s nice to have a break in the action.”

As for the NFL visitors, their Pro Bowl selection is one of the highlights of their careers, but sharing time with the men and women who are selflessly giving their time to help Haitians is truly something to remember, said the Dolphin’s Tiffany Pearl.

“This is a remarkable experience I’m going to take with me for the rest of my life,” she said.