Photo By Master Sgt. Betty Squatrito-Martin | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Landen Dela Cruz, Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug Program,...... read more read more
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HONOLULU - Citizen Soldier, a term bandied about by many, understood by few and lived by even fewer. What does it mean? Sure, it’s someone who serves in the National Guard, but what does that mean? Yes, it’s someone who serves once a month and two weeks a year; but, serving doesn’t end there. A Citizen Soldier not only puts the uniform on to defend the country in times of war, he or she serves the community in which he or she lives. No matter the disaster/event—tornados, floods, hurricanes, fires or inaugurations—just to name a few, a Citizen Soldier is always ready and always there. But, a Guard member’s service doesn’t begin or end with a disaster or a special event.
A Citizen Soldier responds to his community’s needs whatever they may be whether ordered by a commander or ordered by his or her heart.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Landen Dela Cruz, Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug Program, is one such Soldier. His square jaw, broad shoulders, and stiff upper lip belie his compassion and soft heart. It is his heart that drives him to help improve the outlook of Hawaii’s youth.
Soldiers and Airmen who are members of the Hawaii National Guard are said to belong to a great Ohana,—a family—a family that takes care of one another. Unlike blood family, entry into this family is by choice, yet, not guaranteed to anyone. Like a lost dog, Dela Cruz had to find his way to the Guard family.
When Dela Cruz was in his teens, he found himself among a group of “at risk” teens. Before he could find his way to “real” trouble, he found himself in the Kokua Ohana Aloha (KOA) program. This program gives young people who have committed status offenses ranging from truancy, to running away from home, or injurious behavior, a second chance. These “at risk” youth walk away with a clean slate if they, along with their parents/guardian, complete the two-session program. Members of the Hawaii Counterdrug Community Action team used to run monthly meetings for these “at risk” youth and the KOA program.
Through this program, Dela Cruz began to see the error of his ways and corrected his behavior. He saw a path to success. It wasn’t hanging out on the street corner wreaking havoc on his community. Eventually, he would enlist into the HING where he would, in time, land a job with the HINGCDP.
While with the Counterdrug Program, ironically, he would find himself on the other side of the table at the KOA program. Rather than receiving the information, he would be giving it.
“Things I experienced growing up in Hawaii, told me it would be important to help mentor—to teach the next generation,” Dela Cruz said. “I wish when I was at that age, I had been given the opportunity to learn to be a better role model to my siblings and to better bond with my parents.”
Dela Cruz’s stint with the Counterdrug Program was short lived. Due to budgetary limitations, his tenure with the program ended after one year.
“It was unfortunate, but due to budget constraints, he was not able to be kept,” U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Priscilla "Maka" Caluya, operations manager HINGCDP said. “He added insurmountable value to the Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug Support Program.”
During this time, the tie between the HINGCDP and Koa was also severed.
Though the tie between the HINGCDP and KOA had been severed, it was not severed between Dela Cruz and KOA.
“Just because KOA was no longer being funded through Counterdrug, doesn’t mean the help had to stop,” Dela Cruz said.
Since he left the Counterdrug Program, Dela Cruz has worked as a prevention specialist and a corrections officer while maintaining his status as a traditional Guard member. He never stopped volunteering with KOA and continues to do so to this day.
“It’s just in his blood,” Caluya said.
“While I was coaching football, I noticed kids needed a different direction, sports was good, but it wasn’t everything,” Dela Cruz said. “The kids needed someone they could relate to. They needed someone who wasn’t necessarily book smart, but rather street smart. They needed a street smart mentor and that was me, so I just know I have to continue to volunteer with KOA.”
“He has such a full heart,” Caluya said. “His dedication and compassion are laudable, and the way he works with the “at risk” youth is simply inspirational.”
“To see the bridge being built between a father and a son or to see the opening of an avenue of communication between parents and their kids reminds me that what we [Counterdrug] did for KOA wasn’t for nothing,” Dela Cruz said.
Recently, Dela Cruz found his way back to the Counterdrug Program.
“We're fortunate to have him back,” Caluya said. “His ‘I can do’ attitude is contagious and motivating to the entire team.”
Dela Cruz will serve in ground reconnaissance, a far cry from his role in civil operations/community support. It’s a new role, but his desire to support Hawaii’s youth is not new and has not been changed by the dissolution of the KOA Counterdrug relationship. As noted, KOA is in his blood.
“We are still being counted on by the state and the “at risk” youth and their families. I don’t want to let them down—so I keep volunteering,” Dela Cruz said.
“His commitment to prevention in all aspects is evident in what he does both on and off duty,” Caluya said. “He sets the example for those assigned him.”
From the “at risk” kid who found himself in the KOA program and then found his way to the HING, Dela Cruz has learned that being part of the Guard family—any family—comes with responsibility. In the Guard, it’s called being a Citizen Soldier, a person who serves his community whatever it may need whether ordered by a commander or ordered by his heart.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Landen Dela Cruz, Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug Program, serves with his heart.
“I enjoy it, I feel good knowing that helping these “at risk” kids is good for the community,” Dela Cruz said.
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2016 18:16 |
| Story ID: | 196959 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 2,793 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Hawaii NG Counterdrug Soldier serves with his heart, by MSgt Betty Squatrito-Martin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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