West Point Cadet Alix Idrache
On this, the week of commencement, junior high graduations, and achievement at every level is displayed, we stand with hope and wonder as the next wave of promising Americans gives our nation the reason we pray for our next tomorrow.
On Monday, as Vice President Joe Biden addressed 950 cadets who would become 2nd Lieutenants by the end of the day at the United States Military Academy, it was a day of parades on what has been aptly called “The Plain” since 1778. This is where Ulysses S. Grant once set horsemanship records, don’t you know, as have thousands more who exemplified our nation’s greatness.
Yet it was in Michie Stadium, as Biden charged the crowd, that an Army photographer, intent on capturing the day, spied a tear-streaked cadet, Alix Idrache. The photographer, Sgt. Vito Bryant, had no way of knowing he was taking a portrait of The American Dream.
Lt. Idrache was born in poverty and squalor on the island of Haiti. He became an American citizen, embracing the ideals and values of our nation, and his road to West Point ended with his graduation photo going super-viral all of the world.
As he wrote on his Facebook page, “I woke up this morning and found my face all over Facebook and with it myriad of amazing comments about my accomplishments. I am humbled and shocked at the same time. Thank you for giving me a shot at the American Dream and may God bless America, the greatest country on earth."
On his Facebook page the cadet has two posts:
* – “During the darkest hours, we can look for the light at the end of the tunnel or we can find the light from within to illuminate our surroundings. The latter is preferred because it will be as bright as our faith in ourselves is strong.”
* -- “Many would say that we make own luck in this world. I would gracefully disagree. We make choices and each one comes with its consequences. The key is that we make the decisions, but we cannot let the consequences make us.”
Of course, the nation’s media have since swarmed, wanting to know more about this “American Dream” of which Idrache speaks, and he humbly issued a statement.
“Three things came to mind and led to those tears," he explained.
"The first is where I started. I am from Haiti and never did I imagine that such honor would be one day bestowed on me. The second is where I am. Men and women who have preserved the very essence of the human condition stood in that position and took the same oath...
"The third is my future. Shortly after leave, I will report to Fort Rucker (Alabama) to start flight school. Knowing that one day I will be a pilot is humbling beyond words. I could not help but be flooded with emotions knowing that I will be leading these men and women who are willing to give their all to preserve what we value as the American way of life. To me, that is the greatest honor. Once again, thank you."
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“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” – Gen. Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964)
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