It was somewhat of a hero's welcome today, as two local men came home after three days of flying aid in and out of Haiti.
"We took in six doctors, and medical supplies the first two days, and the third day we took in a lot of food, rice, baby formula, stuff like that. And we took 18 people out back to Fort Lauderdale," said Pilot Dale Thuillez, who is also a local attorney.
The two men were not trained in disaster relief, they just answered the call for help. Thuillez received an email telling him that his Pilatus PC-12 was needed because it's fast, fuel efficient and able to land on small airstrips.
"There was unique need in that particular part of the country. To have the tools to be able to do something, why not," he said.
His co-pilot, Kevin Purstell, works at Million Air. He heard of the mission and asked to join too.
"The devastation and destruction there, and the look in the people's eyes of desperation is something I don't think I'll ever forget," said Purstell.
Their days started early and ran late, as they flew non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to Jacmel, Haiti. Because there was no fuel there they would have to stop and re-fuel on their way back.
"We'd go in and unload the plane as fast as we could and then go load up the passengers we were bringing back to the states and take off," said Thuillez.
One of their passengers was Francois Boursiquot. He is from Boston, but was spending time in his native country when the quake hit. Tonight, he said he is overwhelmed by the work of those who care.
"I lost some of my family, and when I see some people like this helping me, I get comfort," he said.
Thuillez and Purstell said that much help is still needed in Haiti, but that even over the course of their three days there they did see progress being made.
