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IU McKinney second-year law student David Emery spent Fall Break 2017 working in Puerto Rico, doing what he could to help the local residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

The hurricane devastated the island on September 20, and many who live there were still without water and power two months later. Emery’s in-laws live in San Sebastian, a remote part of the island, and they care for another family member who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Emery raised funds for the trip and for supplies to take to Puerto Rico through a Gofundme campaign. A former Marine, Emery had been a sergeant, serving from 2008 to 2013. He was part of an intelligence battalion for two years before he was deployed to Afghanistan in that capacity.

The law student, shown in the photo at left with his family, reached out to a fellow Marine who went along with him on the mission. Another friend, and Emery’s brother made the trip, too.

And it was a mission.

“We didn’t know what we were going into, and we didn’t want to become part of the problem,” Emery said. They took along enough food and water sources for each person, as well as hammocks and tents for sleeping. Emery also brought along an empty five-gallon gas can as a carry-on item, which proved interesting getting through security at the airport, he said. He was hoping to buy gas for a chain saw he also hoped to buy once he got to Puerto Rico.

They landed in San Juan, rented a car, bought the chain saw, and began the task of getting across the island to his in-law’s home.

The group had another quest, as well. An acquaintance had asked Emery’s Marine buddy to find his estranged father, if possible, and make sure he was all right. They found the 85-year-old Korean War veteran, and gave him some supplies.

“It was one of the most rewarding feelings to find him,” Emery said. “It made him emotional that his son would send someone to try and find him.”

That task completed, the group continued their trek to Emery’s in-laws. Along the way, they searched for other things to do to help. Emery found the owner of a restaurant Emery’s family frequents when they visit Puerto Rico. The group helped the restaurateur clear his land where his farm animals are kept. In gratitude, the restaurant owner gave Emery two goats for his in-laws to tend, which the group loaded into the back of the rental car. In the photo with the goats, from left, are David Emery, Levi Buhl, Elle Emery, and Seth Mutschler.

The road was impassable, so the group starting trekking and finally made it to Emery’s in-laws. Then another team of veterans showed up and they set to work. In the photo at left, from left, are Maribel Vazquez, Javier Lopez, Luz Diesdier, David Emery, Levi Buhl, Elle Emery, and Seth Mutschle. Emery and his friends brought solar panels, a solar radio, a water filter, money, food, and the goats, of course. The team set to work clearing the in-law’s land, helping the family to prepare for growing a larger garden and set aside a place for the goats to graze.

That took about a day, and once that work was done, the team was asked to help build a house for a family of nine with salvaged supplies. Emery and his friends obliged, as well as assisted the American Red Cross unload a truck with food and tarps for the residents. Emery is in the photo at right, wearing an IU McKinney t-shirt, speaking with a Red Cross worker.

Then it was time to head back to San Juan for the flight home.

Prior to this trip, Emery said he was interested in pursuing criminal law after he completes his legal education. His long-term goal is politics.

After his service in the Marines was completed, Emery did his undergraduate education in Idaho and Utah, and began looking for somewhere to settle down with his wife and three children.

“The main thing that attracted me to McKinney was the focus on experiential learning,” Emery said. “That’s honestly what sold me. Indianapolis is a large city, and I’ve had city and state government learning opportunities.” Emery worked in the Indiana Attorney General’s Office during Summer 2017, has worked with an immigration law firm – he’s fluent in Spanish, and has had an internship with Judge Mark Stoner, ’81, of the Marion County Criminal Division. “I haven’t been let down.”