Louisiana adjutant general visits troops deployed to Haiti

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general of the La. National Guard, accepts the key to Saint Marc from Mayor Charles Baunars during Landreneau’s visit to the troops of Task Force Bon Voizen, June 1. Baunars thanked Landreneau on behalf of the citizens of Saint Marc for the humanitarian aid rendered by members of the task force. Task Force Bon Voizen, New Horizons Haiti 2011 is a Commander, U.S. Southern Command sponsored, U.S. Army South conducted, joint foreign military interaction/humanitarian exercise under the command of the Louisiana National Guard. Task Force Bon Voizen is deploying U.S. military engineers and medical professionals to Haiti for training and to provide humanitarian services. Task Force Bon Voizen will build a school, two medical clinics and a latrine facility, as well as staff three medical clinics and one dental clinic between April 28 and June 25 in the Artibonite Department. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aaron LeBlanc)  

GONAIVES, HAITI

06.03.2011

Courtesy Story

241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Aaron LeBlanc

GONAIVES, Haiti – The National Guard adjutants general of Louisiana, Colorado, and Massachusetts visited the troops of Task Force Bon Voizen, a humanitarian exercise under the command of the Louisiana National Guard, June 1.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, was joined on his visit to Haiti by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, National Guard adjutants general of Colorado and Massachusetts, respectively.

While in Haiti, the generals toured task force project sites, including the construction site of a three-room school being built in the community of Upper Poteau, and a clinic where task force medical professionals are providing free evaluation and treatment to the citizens of Bocozelle.

Following lunch at task force headquarters in Mandrin, troops gathered informally outside the dining tent, and were addressed by the visiting generals.

“I’d just like to extend my congratulations to all of you,” said Landreneau. “It was very evident as we went around today that this is a true team effort. The integration of different services and the National Guards of different states is really impressive.”

“Thank you for your service to America and for your service here in Haiti,” said Carter. “It’s really making a difference. It may not seem so when you fly over this place as a country, but every little thing that you do is exponentially huge for the people of Haiti. So keep up the good work, and continue to set an example for everybody in your states. Again thank you all.”

Edwards echoed Carter’s words of thanks to the members of the task force, calling them ambassadors of the United States of America, “whose actions reflect directly on their respective states, and the U.S. as a whole.”

“I saw lots of thumbs up from those that live here in Haiti. So thank you so much for all that you do,” Edwards added.

Landreneau also took the opportunity to relay to the troops a message of encouragement from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

“Gov. Jindal asked that I relay to you how proud he is of each and every one of you, and what you’re doing for Haiti on behalf of the state of Louisiana. The citizens of Louisiana have a special connection with Haiti and the citizens here. And it certainly makes them feel good to know that the Louisiana National Guard, along with all of our partners, is making a difference and a contribution, by trying to help these folks out. So congratulations, I’m proud of you. Keep up the good work and be safe. I look forward to seeing you when you get back home,” Landreneau said.

This is the second year in a row that the Louisiana National Guard has found itself at the helm of the New Horizons Haiti mission. Col. Kenneth Donnelly, the commander of this year’s exercise, credited Landreneau’s vision and leadership for giving his team the opportunity to lead the 2011 mission.

Task Force Bon Voizen, New Horizons Haiti 2011, is a Commander, U.S. Southern Command sponsored, U.S. Army South conducted, joint foreign military interaction/humanitarian exercise under the command of the Louisiana National Guard. Task Force Bon Voizen is deploying U.S. military engineers and medical professionals to Haiti for training and to provide humanitarian services. Task Force Bon Voizen will build a school, two medical clinics and one latrine facility, as well as staff three medical clinics and one dental clinic between April 28 and June 25 in the Artibonite Department.

Please visit: Task Force Bon Voizen on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/tfbonvoizen for the latest New Horizons Haiti 2011 news and imagery.

• Date Taken: 06.03.2011
• Date Posted: 06.03.2011 11:28
• Story ID: 71529
• Location: GONAIVES, HT