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Two Haitian-born U.S. Marines bring language capab
Teledjol.com - Friday February 12, 2010
Two Haitian-born U.S. Marines bring language capabilities to the humanitarian effort
Two Haitian-born U.S. Marines bring language capabilities to the humanitarian effort By Air Force 2nd Lt. Victoria Brayton, JFSOCC Public Affairs PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—When Marine Staff Sgt. Michel arrived in Port-au-Prince just six days after the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake, he probably felt a more personal connection than most of the other U.S. service members who came to help. Michel was born and raised in Port-au-Prince for the first six years of his life. Many of his family members still live in the capital city of Haiti. Aunts, uncles, cousins—all were directly affected by the earthquake. “It was hard seeing my family sleeping outside on the floor,” he said. “My uncle, he lost everything. My aunt, her house was destroyed.” Michel, a contracting officer for the Marine Special Operations Command, hadn’t stepped foot in Haiti since he left almost 25 years ago. Now he’s back, working as an interpreter and traveling with civil affairs teams all around Haiti to help find out what the people need and how the various international and state organizations can be of assistance. “Anything I can do to help, I’ll do it,” he said. Walking along the streets in his Marine Corps uniform, Michel is met with cheers and hugs. “Kids run and hug you, they grab your leg,” he said, smiling. “I tell them in Creole, ‘I’m Haitian, just like you,’ and they get even more excited.” Michel said he thinks he gives the locals an example of another possibility for the future. “My family really loves it, saying ‘my nephew is a U.S. Marine,’” he said. “They get a kick out of it.” This mission to support the humanitarian assistance efforts has been rewarding for Michel as well, who said his language skills have gotten stronger. “I’m learning from the people just like the people are learning from me,” he said. “They’ll talk in English and I’ll answer in Creole. That way we help each other out.” Another Marine, Sgt. Mark, said he had a feeling when he took the test for language proficiency that one day he would be called upon to use his language abilities. Mark was also born in Haiti, and hadn’t returned since he moved to the United States when he was 3 years old. Normally a supply administrator for the 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Mark said he was excited by the chance to be an interpreter for U.S. service members in Haiti. “Even if I didn’t grow up here, I still have a place in my heart for Haiti and its people,” he said. “I’m happy to do whatever I can do to help.” Mark said visiting the hospitals around Haiti has been particularly inspiring for him. “They’re not fully equipped with supplies, but they’re doing everything they can to get by while the assistance is on its way,” he said. Both Marines said they were proud and ready to use their language skills to help the humanitarian efforts in Haiti, and that as U.S. service members they’ve been heartily welcomed by the local population. “They sense hope and change is coming,” Michel said. “We’re just here to give support and to do what we can.”
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