MILWAUKEE - You may think of the U.S. Coast Guard here in Milwaukee for protection and search and rescue efforts on Lake Michigan, but they go all over our great nation.
Ten members of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan are now doing all they can to stop the suffering in Puerto Rico.
One of the Milwaukee response officers deployed was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and still has family affected there.
This is not the only call they have answered.
Forty-three have gone to help in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, using a 22-foot Special Air Boat. This boat and the Coast Guard helicopter out of Waukegan, Illinois were used to rescue 5,000 stranded Texans in the first 12 days. They also monitored water pollution.
"So anything that was floating that might pose a hazardous substance that was part of our response," said LTJG Paul Grotelueschen.
Nineteen members from Milwaukee went down to Florida to also help with Hurricane Irma relief efforts.
Now, more devastation and more of our U.S. Coast Guard are needed. This time they are not bringing any boats. They are on the ground to help with disaster relief.
