Lately This Week in Photos has been on hiatus. Honestly, at times I found myself wanting to write one but I have not been inspired until now.

As we are aware, stories of the earthquakes in Haiti have hit us locally regarding the home coming of the very personable and ever-so-cheerful Claire. When she arrived on U.S. soil for the first time the Journal was there and I distinctly remember how emotional the scene was at the Sacramento International Airport. Assignments like that are why I chose this profession. Capturing the split-second moment as Claire ran into the open arms of her new sisters Ashley and Danielle Bryditzki is priceless.

But there is more to Claire’s homecoming that many people are not aware of. We see photos of her arrival and how special it has become for the Bryditzki family, more so with the earthquake. What people don’t know are the events, which took place a couple days before that, and how much of an effort was put into motion in order to get this little girl home safe.

Now enter a Georgia man by the name of Henry Couser of Operation Mobilization. As a retired officer for the Air Force and a father of two grown girls of his own, Henry received a forwarded e-mail asking him to help the Bryditzki family find their orphan child Claire and help bring her home to the States.

“I had no idea who the Bryditzkis were or Claire at the time,” Henry recalls. “But at that point I told myself this was going to be my sole mission in Haiti.”

Henry, who was already planning on making a trip into Haiti with O.M., did just that. With the challenges of finding the little girl among a chaotic city in ruins Henry’s fatherly instincts kicked in. Once in contact with the orphanage he explained why he was there and found out she needed a Visa in order to leave the country. Picking up Claire in his arms and making his way to City Hall he moved to the front of the line where other Haitians were franticly trying to achieve the same thing. Cutting to the front of the line and pleading with guards to let him pass, they allowed the couple in, closing the door behind him and processed Claire’s visa. After getting the paper work and still carrying Claire in his arms they made their way to the Port-au-Prince airport to personally deliver Claire safely to her new family who were waiting on a private jet, donated by media mogul Ted Turner.

So how do I know all this? Originally I had a photo assignment to meet up with the Bryditzkis the week of the 19th, but had to reschedule the shoot for another day. We thought about calling freelance photographer Michael Kirby at the time, but because I was the photographer on two previous assignments with Claire it was important I be there as a familiar face. I called Debbie to set a new day and time and she mentioned Monday the 26th would be best because Henry planned to fly in and reunite with Claire. I took the opportunity to be welcomed in the Bryditzkis’ home to capture the moments.

As Claire sat on the lap of her uncle Jim Wesley with her trademark smile, Henry told the story of his adventure as everyone stopped and listened to the events that took place. For 20 minutes nobody said a word as Henry described the Haitian scene while rescuing Claire as if it was something out of a movie.

After his story tears were shed as Claire went into her room and brought a gift out for Henry to open. They sat on the couch together and opened a personal thank-you letter written in crayon and a picture frame enclosing a photomontage of Claire for Henry to take home with him. It was an amazing photo assignment, which I have not experienced in my 7 years at the AJ.

Before leaving I shook Henry’s hand and asked him one last question.

“As a man who has seen so much in this world, was this the most challenging circumstance you have ever endured?”

Henry looked at me, then at Clarie and with semi-glassy eyes replied, “Without a doubt.”