Coast Guard Cutter Legare returns home

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Legare returned to Portsmouth Saturday afternoon, having deployed to Haiti for 51 days to help with relief operations.

Supporting Operation Unified Response in Port-au-Prince, the crew coordinated medical evacuations, provided logistics and helicopter refueling for medevac helicopters.

The Legare's crew is made of 14 officers and 85 enlisted personnel

"They're hurting down there definitely," said crew member Andrew Benyo. "We were down there to support them."

The crew of the Cutter Legare was one of the first ships to arrive in Haiti after the earthquake.

"It kind of caught us by surprise when we showed up in Haiti," said Patrick McGrath. "It was very much ruined."

"People who just had it one day and then it is gone the next," added Maurice Alston.

The crew was away for 51 days. They worked around the clock.

"Day one it was kind of hectic," said LTJG John Magin. "We basically got on scene and we started coordinating some medivacs."

Not only did they help get Haitians much need medical care, but they were there to pass out supplies.

"It was heartwarming that they could go down and help people who are less fortunate than us," said wife Khalilah Alston.

Alston and her three kids figured they would surprise daddy for all of his hard work. They baked him cookies.

"It makes you proud to be who you are and glad to have what you have despite what goes on in the world," added Maurice Alston. "You're blessed for what you have at home and it makes you realize that a lot more when you go and see that."