Mitch Albom, who founded an orphanage in Haiti in 2010, found himself, along with nine others, stranded in the country when sweeping political violence erupted.
Gangs have taken control of the country and the airport. Albom told Local 4 last week that getting out was not an option.
“There’s no planes, no boats, there’s no way out, and everything has been shut down by the gangs,” Albom told us last week.
Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain R-Bruce Township heard about his ordeal and reached out to him. She then asked her colleague Rep. Cory Mills, R-Florida, if he could help.
Mills is a combat veteran who has stepped into rescue Americans from places like Afghanistan in the past. He led a helicopter mission into Haiti and got Albom and nine others out.
McClain broke the news at an Armed Services Committee Hearing.
“Last night, I coordinated with Congressman Cory Mills to rescue several Americans trapped in Port Au Prince,” McClain said. “Congressman Mills actually participated in the rescue of those Americans abandoned by the Biden administration and the State Department.”
Albom, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the rescue but also his worry, saying, “Our personal biggest concern is our 60 children and 40 staff at the Have Faith Haiti orphanage who have to endure their country’s violence and danger every day with no option to leave. We truly implore our US leaders to be more active in helping to save their country.”
“A group of us from Have Faith Haiti, including my wife and myself, were evacuated overnight from Haiti, where we had been sheltering in place since a state of emergency was declared.
I had a responsibility to bring home 8 wonderful volunteers who were working with us. But my wife’s and my hearts ache for our kids still there.
Saying goodbye to them this time was horribly difficult. We pray for help in making their country safe for them again, and we will be back with them the moment it is possible.
Our deepest thanks to everyone who sent messages and prayers. We were luckier than a lot of others. Please don’t forget about them.”
Mitch Albom