Reserve Command Aids Quake Victims

Staff Sgt. Manuel Martinez of the 63rd U.S. Army Reserve Command based in Los Alamitos helped some of the Northridge earthquake victims fill out forms for government assistance Monday at Sylmar High School.

Martinez was one of 30 linguists from the command who were stationed at five FEMA centers in Los Angeles, Sylmar and Van Nuys for two weeks. They translated for people who spoke only Spanish, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese or Chinese and could not fill out the government assistance applications in English.

It was the first time the translators had been assigned to help earthquake victims cope with the stress and difficulties of dealing with their losses, Army officials said. Monday was their last day on duty there.

“It’s pretty slow today,” said Martinez, who helped dozens of Spanish-speaking victims. “Most people who are coming in now are in need of minor help.”

Two weeks ago, there were long lines of people waiting to ask for everything from money to food, clothing and shelter.

“It’s been pretty depressing,” Martinez said.

He recalled being saddened when an elderly, partially blind woman told him she lost everything she owned when the temblor destroyed her home, which happened to be part of a laundry room in an apartment complex.

“She needed help and we referred her to the Red Cross for food and clothes and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) to help pay the rent in a real apartment,” he said.

In addition to the 30 linguists, 15 mental health experts from the command helped victims of the Jan. 17 quake. Today is their last day on duty helping out victims.

One of the experts, Army specialist Ana Estevez, said the number of families still in need of counseling services is dwindling. She said she has been helping social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists quell people’s fears of earthquakes.

“A lot of people are just plain afraid of the earthquakes and we’re explaining to them that an earthquake is a natural thing,” she said from the Hollywood High School gym, where about 170 earthquake victims are staying.

She said many children are too scared to leave their parents’ side. One child told her, “I want to stay with my mommy because I want to die with my mommy,” Estevez said. “I talked to him and kind of lightened his fear but it’s been traumatic, especially for the kids.”

About their assignment, Martinez said: “People were coming in looking for help and they were grateful to get it. It made us feel good.”