It has been 10 years since Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, destroying homes and uprooting lives. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the military and first responders worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the debris and help others clean up the wreckage. Master Sgt. Michael Maroney of the U.S. Air Force was one of these dedicated individuals. Maroney and his team executed the rescue of a then 3-year-old girl during a dangerous part of the storm.
After the successful rescue, Maroney was photographed receiving a thankful embrace from the little girl. Ever since then, Maroney has been attempting to reunite with the little girl in question. The Huffington Post reported that he decided to put social media to work for him by using the hashtag #FindKatrinaGirl. The Internet pulled together and recently put Maroney in touch with the now 13-year-old LeShay Brown.
"I can't wait to meet her to tell her how important she is," Maroney told People magazine.
Maroney saidBrown's embrace was a light in the dark time that was Katrina. Her embrace reminded him why he was there. Brown and her family currently live in San Antonio, Texas, but The Huffington Post wrote that the pair have plans to reunite sometime in September.