National Guard State Partnership Program pairs Louisiana, Haiti
By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Denis B. Ricou
Louisiana National Guard
Army Brig. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, and Col. Michael Edmonson, superintendant of the Louisiana State Police, meet with Inspector General Trecile, of the Haitian National Police, to discuss the establishment of a National Guard State Partnership Program pairing of the LANG and the country of Haiti in Port Au Prince, Haiti, on Jan. 18, 2012. (U.S. Army courtesy photo).
download hi-res photoNEW ORLEANS (1/19/12) - The Louisiana National Guard and the country of Haitihave officially announced the strengthening of ties through the National Guard State Partnership Program during a Wednesday ceremony in Haiti.
The program between the Louisiana Guard and Haiti builds on the LANG's work in the Artibonite Department in 2010 and 2011 following the devastating earthquake two years ago. The partnership will work to strengthen the capacity of the Haitian government to prepare for, and react in case of major natural events, to strengthen the capacity of the Haitian National Police and to support the activities of the Haitian Coast Guard.
"Over the past two years, Louisiana has led two New Horizons missions, where our Soldiers and Airmen constructed schools and medical centers, and provided much needed medical and dental aid to Haitian communities," said Army Brig. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general. "We are truly committed to Haiti, and we know that we will gain as much as we give from this relationship with our Haitian colleagues."
Haitian Secretary of State for Local Communities, Fritz Jean Louis, said, "Louisiana and Haiti have a common understanding of the challenges of our environment. Haiti will bring to bear all of its assets and capabilities to this partnership."