Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Michel Leandre Jr., a Haitian American U.S. Marine with Joint Forces...... read more read more
Subscribe
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A Haitian American Marine working with the Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command in Haiti had the unique experience of being promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in front of family and friends in his hometown, March 1, during a ceremony in Port-au-Prince.
Gunnery Sgt. Michel Leandre, who was born in Haiti but moved to the U.S. when he was six, volunteered to deploy with U.S. Special Operation Forces as a Creole interpreter after the devastating earthquake, January 12.
For Leandre, circumstances and timing provided him an opportunity to assist the people of Haiti during humanitarian relief operations, and then be promoted in the city of his birth; an experience that would have seemed unimaginable for this Marine logistics technician just months before.
"This is very personal for me," said Leandre. "My mission here has been to help fellow service members communicate better with the people, because I know the culture and the language. But to pause today and be promoted to Gunny in front of my family and friends is something I never imagined would happen and will never forget."
Danemarck Jacques, Leandre's uncle and part time resident of Port-au-Prince, said he's not surprised to see his nephew being promoted up the ranks of the Marine Corps so quickly, or to hear about the important role he is playing in supporting SOF Civil Affairs teams working in Haiti.
"Michel was always a strong and focused person, even when he was young," said Jacques. "We are proud of his promotion today, but even more proud that he's here helping Haitians during this difficult time."
With the joy of accomplishing a major milestone in his Marine Corps career, Leandre now focuses his attention back on the mission of helping people through his language skills.
"I always feel like there's more I can do," said Leandre. "The people here have gone through so much. When I talk to Haitians in the street, they often tell me, 'we're glad you're here, you provide us with a little bit of hope for our future.'"
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2010 17:38 |
| Story ID: | 46013 |
| Location: | HT |
| Web Views: | 615 |
| Downloads: | 495 |
This work, Haitian American Marine receives promotion while on assignment in Port-au-Prince, by CDR Arlo Abrahamson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
