Soldier with county roots helping out in Haiti

SUNNY?BRAE?- Another person with county roots has gone to Haiti to help in the relief efforts with the Canadian military.
Leading Seaman Joseph Rushton, known by his friends as Joey, is a sonar operator on board the HMCS Athabaskan, which reached Leogane, Haiti - an all-but-demolished town about 90 minutes from Port-au-Prince - on Tuesday.
His father, Roy Rushton, Jr., who lives in Sunny Brae, says he hasn't heard from Joey since he arrived in Haiti and isn't sure if he'll be going ashore yet.
"He was very excited to go over there and help," Roy Rushton said Thursday. "We haven't heard from him yet - I'm sure he's too busy."
The 27-year-old has been in the Navy since 2003. He follows a strong tradition of military service in the Rushton family: his father, Roy Rushton, Jr., joined the Royal Canadian Regiment at age 21, retiring in 2005 after serving 22 years; his uncle also joined the military at age 21; and his grandfather, Roy Rushton, Sr., joined at 21 as well.
"The Rushtons have a strong tradition in serving in the military," Roy Rushton, Jr. added.
This won't be the first disaster Joey Rushton has witnessed. He saw hurricane Juan here in Nova Scotia and witnessed Sept. 11, 2001 while living with his father at various deployments.
"It's not as bad of Haiti, of course, but he's been through disasters," added Roy Rushton, Jr.