Photo By Chief Petty Officer Ernest Scott | 171004-N-ZN152-0020 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Oct. 4, 2017) - Religious Program...... read more read more
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“I had no phone service here, no way to reach him,” said Carmen Bermudez, Reyesbermudez’s mother. “When I heard he was here, I was just praying to see him.”
Reyesbermudez’s service in the Navy has often required him to spend extended periods of time away from his family. Although he noted it may not be under the best circumstances, Reyesbermudez said he is grateful for the chance to be with his mother.
“This is such a rare opportunity,” he said. “I get to see my family but I’m also serving my country and helping Puerto Rico at the same time.”
Reyesbermudez’s shipmates say that having him onboard has been a blessing, not only for his strong work ethic, but for his compassion and companionship as well.
“Reyes volunteered for this mission, so I didn’t know him prior,” said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Lagioconda Phillips, part of Comfort’s critical core staff. “Once we started working together it was like an old team reunited. We immediately formed what I’m sure will be a lifelong connection.”
Right away, Reyesbermudez integrated with the team and began working as part of the crew. Only later did his department learn about his family still living in the affected areas of Puerto Rico.
“As soon as I heard his backstory, I knew we had to get this guy on the front line, helping out his home and hopefully linking up with his mom,” said Phillips. “When he finally got to be with his mother, the energy, the love – it was overwhelming. It touched me, touched the whole office, and just reaffirmed our need to be here.”
After the emotional reunion, Reyesburmedez said he was ready to help the people of Puerto Rico. It’s his commitment to the mission and caring for his family, friends, and countrymen that Carmen said makes her so very proud of her son.
“He’s going to help people,” she said. “He’s going to help them here and all around the island; he helped me. He’s my hero.”
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2017 21:21 |
| Story ID: | 250737 |
| Location: | SAN JUAN, PR |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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