PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Mar. 1, 2010) Staff Sgt. Michel Leandre Jr., a Haitian American U.S. Marine with Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command recieves his Gunnery Sgt. pins from his uncle and cousin. The United States and other international military and civilian aid agencies are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the area on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Robert J. Fluegel/Released)

Haitian American Marine receives promotion while on assignment in Port-au-Prince

By LT Arlo Abrahamson, Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command Public Affairs

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 1st, 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 12th.

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.

CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (Feb. 4, 2010) A homeless elderly woman is found living on the street by U.S. Marine interpreter Staff Sgt. Michel Leandre Jr. from the Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command and given a Meal Ready to Eat. The team facilitates humanitarian support between the government of Haiti, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Robert J. Fluegel/Released)

"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."

FOR QUERIES, CONTACT SOCSOUTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LT Arlo Abrahamson arlo.abrahamson@socso.southcom.mil

POW-MIA Flag

In 1971, Mrs. Mary Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. The flag is black, bearing in the center, in black and white, the emblem of the League. The emblem is a white disk bearing in black silhouette the bust of a man, watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire; above the disk are the white letters POW and MIA framing a white 5-pointed star; below the disk is a black and white wreath above the white motto:

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

The flag has been altered many times; the colors have been switched from black with white - to red, white and blue, - to white with black; the POW/MIA has at times been revised to MIA/POW.

On March 9,1989, a POW/MIA Flag, which flew over the White House on the 1988 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, was installed in the United States Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th session of Congress. The leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony in a demonstration of bipartisan congressional support. This POW/MIA Flag, the only flag displayed in the United States Capitol Rotunda, stands as a powerful symbol of our national commitment to our POW/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing in Southeast Asia has been achieved.

On August 10,1990, the 101st Congress passes U.S. Public Law 101-355, recognizing the National League of Families POW/MIA Flag and designating it "as a symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation." Beyond Southeast Asia, it has been a symbol for POW/MIAs from all American Wars.

With the passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act during the first term of the 105th Congress, the..... 'POW/MIA Flag' will fly each year on:

Armed Forces Day - Third Saturday in May

Memorial Day - Last Monday in May

Flag Day - June 14

Independence Day - July 4

National POW/MIA Recognition Day - Third Friday in September

Veterans Day - November 11

The POW/MIA Flag will be flown on the grounds or the public lobbies of major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense, all Federal National Cemeteries, the National Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the White House, the United States Post Offices and at official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veteran's Affairs, and Director of the Selective Service System. Civilians are free to fly the POW/MIA Flag whenever they wish.