I want to tell you about a young American. His name is Alix Idrache. He is an immigrant. He came to country from Haiti in 2009. Last month, he graduated from West Point, and he received his commission in the United States Army. Perhaps you saw the lieutenant’s photograph online. He is the young cadet at graduation, a tear running down his cheek. Second Lieutenant Idrache said this:

At this moment, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Three things came to mind and led to those tears. The first is where I started. I am from Haiti and never did I dream that such honor would be one day bestowed upon me. The second is where I am. Men and women who preserved the very essence of the human condition stood in that position and took the same oath. …The third is my future. Knowing that I will one day be a pilot is humbling beyond words. I could not help but be flooded with emotions knowing that I will be leading those men and women who are willing to give their all to preserve what value as the American way of life. To me, that is the greatest honor.

Duty. Honor. Country. As long as there are young Americans willing to live by these words, as long as there are young Americans willing to put service to others above self, our nation will endure.

Kevin R. Rardin
LTC, JA, USAR (Ret)
President, Memphis Chapter MOAA