PITTSBURGH -- For the first time in two decades, U.S. marines were touching down on Lebanese soil Thursday to help evacuate Americans.

The first of several flights carrying evacuees arrived Thursday morning at Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

While the evacuees were looking to get out, a Pittsburgh doctor and his family were looking forward to a trip to Israel.

The Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic held a going-away party for Dr. Harold Sternlicht. His family is not only going to Israel, but moving there.

It's part of a Jewish tradition called aliyah.

"I believe that Israel is God's gift to the Jews, and that's where we belong," Sternlicht said. "I thought it would be best, education-wise, and I have some young children who would do much better there."

The Sternlichts have yet to find a place to live and must learn to speak Hebrew.

Sternlicht said he will make regular trips to Pittsburgh to help make ends meet.

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