Coup ends vacation for UTC professor

A tropical vacation for scuba diving turned into a fight to get home when Nick Honerkamp and his family found themselves in Honduras on the eve of a military coup.

"When we heard that there had been a coup, it was horrible. I was panicky, and I stayed up all night staring at the ceiling," said the UTC archaeologist. "We were afraid we wouldn't be able to get out."

Dr. Honerkamp and his family arrived in San Pedro, Honduras, on June 22 on vacation to visit his daughter Savannah, a member of the Peace Corps.

Upon arrival in San Pedro, their connecting flight to the island of Roatan was canceled because the flight company had failed to pay taxes.

"We couldn't believe when the flight got canceled, but my daughter simply said, 'Welcome to Honduras,'" Dr. Honerkamp said.

After taking a ferry to Roatan, the family enjoyed their beach side residence on the tropical isle in normal vacation fashion, spending days in the sun and exploring the island.

"Roatan was absolutely beautiful," Dr. Honerkamp said. "The island has some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world."

As the week progressed, however, rumors began to circulate about political unrest.

"Savannah started to receive text messages from the Peace Corps, advising caution," he said.

Tensions worsened June 26 when Honduran President Manuel Zelaya fired the armed forces commander, Gen. Rome Vasquez.

"That afternoon we saw a U.S. Air Force C-130 plane fly over. It was kind of a mixed message," Dr. Honerkamp said. "On one hand we thought, 'Well that isn't a good sign.' On the other hand, we were glad to see them there just in case things did get out of hand."

On Sunday morning, June 28, almost a week after arriving in Honduras, Dr. Honerkamp's fears were confirmed. Soldiers entered the presidential palace that morning, captured President Zalaya and put him on a plane to Cuba in his pajamas, The Associated Press reported.

"Text messages from the Peace Corps said that we should not travel for any reason," Dr. Honerkamp said. "I was sweating it. We didn't know how we would physically leave the country."

As he searched for a way home, he remembers the island remaining surprisingly calm. On June 29, the new Honduran government issued a national holiday as a "cool-down" day, and locals stayed home from work, he said.

"When we finally started seeing U.S. news channels, the coverage was outrageous. It seemed so one-sided," Dr. Honerkamp said. "For the people here, the president tried to change the Constitution and the Supreme Court took action."

By the next day, the island was back to business as usual, he said. That night, Dr. Honerkamp finally booked the plane flight that would take the family home on July 3.

But as the final day approached Dr. Honerkamp encountered his most difficult moment yet.

"I wanted to stay with Savannah as long as I could," he said. "In once sense, she is still my baby, even though she is 24. When it was time to go, I gave her a hug; it was part affection and part desperation.

"I trust her judgment though, and I know that it's part of her purpose in life to work with the Peace Corps and help others. She is enabling others to help themselves. She is truly remarkable. "

After the goodbyes, the family focused on getting home.

"I wasn't completely confident till the plane took off," Dr. Honerkamp said. "When we finally lifted off the runway, I knew we were safe."