Haiti is why Nathan Broshear serves in Public Affairs in the U.S. Air Force

If you've been following my blog for a while, you may recall that I've developed a close relationship with the Public Affairs professionals at the U.S. Air Force. It all started when I connected with them on Twitter in late 2008.

Later I spoke at the Air Force World Wide Public Affairs Conference in Washington D.C. I also spent a day at the Pentagon meeting people from other branches of the U.S. military public affairs and travelled to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ to spend time with the PA officers there. Note that in all cases, I donated my time.

I've learned that the Public Affairs Officers are given incredible responsibility at a young age. They work long hours for pay that’s lower than what they'd make in the private sector. They are put in harms' way and deploy to places away from their family for months or even years at a time.

HAITI

Immediately after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, I received a message from my friend Capt. Nathan Broshear, Director of Public Affairs for 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) that he was to deploy immediately to Haiti to aid in the relief efforts. He sent me a few messages while there and I was amazed at the work he was doing.

I'm like: "Nathan tell me more!"

So he did.

I just read an essay Capt. Broshear wrote called Haiti: this is why I serve. You should read it too.

He writes: "The rewards of serving aren't one-word answers; they're the tiny snapshots of humanity, dignity and kindness playing over and over in the minds of Airmen who've been there…. scenes of hope replay in my mind each night as I lie down to sleep in my tent."

Do yourself a favor and read the rest of his essay.

If you’re at South-by-Southwest next month, please join me and Capt. Broshear as we participate in the Future15 session on social business. I’ll be presenting on social marketing and Nathan will be presenting on social PR.

Capt. Broshear says of his work in Public Affairs: "We're not launching missiles, we're launching ideas."

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Airmen attached to Air Force Expeditionary Medical Squadron, Four Three Six, from Travis AF Base, Sacramento Cali., and Navy Corpsman treat earthquake survivors at an expeditionary medical facility located along the harbor of Port-au-Prince, Haiti February 3, 2010. A 7.0 earthquake Tuesday, January 12, left thousands of Haitians displaced, without access to food, water and vital medical care. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Todd Frantom)

Comments

[Angela Moore]

Thanks for posting David, I am so looking forward to hearing from you both at SXSW.

[DavidBeKing]

That's awesome that you are doing that! it's always great to lend a helping hand. Everyone should give in whatever way they can whether it's time or money. It's something the world needs more of and I comment you for it!

Hope all is well!

David
http://Davidbeking.com

[Dara Bell]

I love the photos, I find I have seen many photos of Haiti on blogs, none on Marketing blogs.

It is passion of mine reporting things. You may call it gossip. However diaspara or refuge tales do not travel, saving foreigners stories do. They unfortunately fo not raise awareness through an emergency.

Dara Bell

[Ellen G]

Thanks for bringing Capt. Broshear to SXSW. He was definitely one of the highlights of the conference for me. Only complaint is I could have listened to him for hours and he only (like you) had 15 minutes. Great guy doing amazing work for our country.

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haiti is certainly one place all the help you can give!