By NAN Staff Writer
News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Mon. May 30, 2016: On Memorial Day Weekend, the photo of Haitian-born Lt. Alix Idrache with tears streaming down his face at his recent graduation was still making its rounds on social media. The picture, which was taken by Army Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant, showed Idrache with tears streaming down his face while he clutched his army cadet headgear tightly during West Point’s 214th graduation. It was first published on West Point’s Facebook page on May 24th and attained viral success almost instantly.
So what is next for Lt. Idrache. In his Instagram thank you, Idrache says that he is due to head to Fort Rucker in Alabama to start flight school.
The base is named for Confederate General Edmund Rucker and has been the subject of a renaming debate. It is the home of Army Aviation and the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence.
The picture of Idrache was also posted to West Point’s Instagram page. In the comments section, the immigrant Lt. thanked those who were sharing the photo.
“I want to thank everyone for your kind and thoughtful comments on this picture. SSG Bryant captured a moment that I will never forget. 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 imagine that such honor would be one day bestowed on me,” he said. “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. Men who preserved the Union is a dark period of this country’s history. Men who scaled the face of adversity and liberated Europe from fascism and nazism. Women like CPT Griest, LT Haver, MAJ Jaster who rewrote the narrative and challenged the status quo to prove themselves worthy of being called Rangers. The third is my future. Shortly after leave, I will report to FT. Rucker 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,” he added.
Idrache attended high school in Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and finished top of his class in physics. After leaving Haiti for the U.S., Idrache spent two years in the Maryland National Guard while he earned his citizenship, according to the Washington Post.
Idrache had been appointed a Regimental Commander among his fellow 950 cadets.
