Haitian monument to be unveiled October 8, 2007

[Serge]

From the South East News (Savannah, Georgia)

10/01/07
Haitian Monument Built in Franklin Square


A long-awaited tribute to Haiti is under construction in downtown Savannah. The Haitian monument honoring the Haitian forces coming to support the United States against the British Empire was built today in Franklin Square.

The date was October 9, 1779, when Haiti came to help the US fight for independence. Next week, the monument will have a formal dedication. Organizers have waited seven years for this day.

"It was a long hard battle, but the end will be sweet and everyone is going to benefit," organizer Daniel Fils-Aime, Sr., told WTOC.

Fils-Aime says Savannah's economy and tourism numbers will get a boost from the Haitian visitors the monument will draw. They plan on working all weekend to get ready for next week's ceremony.

Reported by: Don Logana, dlogana@wtoc.com

[Serge]

From WSAV TV news- Savannah, Georgia

Monday, Oct 01, 2007 - 04:55 PM

The Haitian Monument is becoming a reality in Franklin Square, as contract crews today hoisted the heavy, inscribed sides of the pedestal base into place in the middle of the square. The soldier statues to be placed on top are expected to arrive as early as tomorrow.

The monument honors the roughly 575 free volunteers from Saint Domingue (modern-day Haiti) who fought in the Revolutionary War Battle of Savannah in 1779.

[Serge]

Kanmarad,

Malgre atik sa yop pa bay dat, moniman sa ap inogire Nan 8 oktob 2007. Mwen ankouraje tout moun ki kapab pou yo ale nan gwo evenman istorik sa. Mwen te f{e plan pou mwen ale mwen menm, men mwen bloke nan yon konferans ki ka pa fini ase bonè. Antouka, map gade toujou paske pétèt nan dènye minit, mwen ka gen tan ale.

Men adrès entènèt la si nou vle gen plis detay ak si nou vle wè foto pakèt moniman sa ak tout lòt enfòmasyon.

www.haitianhistory.org

Na kapab wè gen yon pakè aktivite kap komanse depi nan vandredi rive sou lendi, jou inogirasyon an. Kididonk, an nou wè si na desan "en masse!"

Serge

[staff*]

Moniman Savannah – Savannah Monument



Moniman Savannah – Savannah Monument



Youn nan 8 fasad moniman -
One of the 8 sides of the monument

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Daniel Fisl-Aimé kap bay Brian Roche yon plak pou sipò li bay pwojè a

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Caption: In 1779, a continent of Chasseurs Volontaires, led by French Count D'Estaing, departed from Cap-Fracois (sic), Saint Domingue, to join the fight for American independence in Savannah, Georgia. On April 25, 1944, a plaque was unveiled in Saint Marc, commemorating that act of selfless heroism. On September 7, 1944, he United States Department of State sent the Honorable Thomas Gamble, then Mayor of Savannah, six photographs depicting the plaque's unveiling. The photographs are part of the "Commemoration du départ des volontaires Haitiens en 1779" portion of the Gamble Collection at the Public Library in Savannah.

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

James Mastin, atis ki konsevwa moniman, ak madanm li -
James Mastin, the artist, with his wife

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Kendrik Meeks, Depite Florid

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Another view of the monument

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Representing Soldiers of the period

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

With the soldiers...

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Janelle Daguissan kap chante tèm Nasyonal Etazini ak Ayiti -
Janelle Daguissan, singing the National anthems of the US and Haiti

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Majistra Savannah Otis Johnson nan moniman an

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Sou gòch rive sou dwat: Reprezantan Miami Ronald Brisé, Daniel Fils-Aimé, Konsil Ayisyen nan Miyami Ralph Latortue.

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Daniel Fils-Aimé ap prezante manm Sosyete a

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Minis Généus ap fè diskou li

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Floyd Adams, ansyen Majistra Savannah

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

1465: Yon Ayisyen layite Drapo nasyonal la devan manm yo

© Serge Bellegarde

[staff*]

Depite Kendrik Meeks ak Daniel Fils-Aimé

© Serge Bellegarde

[jafrikayiti]

Guy,

Eske li posib pou foto nwa e- blan an parèt pi klè. Li sanble yon foto prezidan Lescot k ap monte yon drapo Meriken men mwen pa ka li sa ki ekri a, kidonk mwen pa konprann non plis ki koneksyon ki geneyen ant foto sa a epi moniman Savannah a.

Pou koze Savannah sa a, mwenmenm mwen ta renmen wè dokiman istorik ki esplike pwosesis yon timoun 12 lane (tankou Henri Christophe) te suiv pou li te vin "volunteer" nan yon lame blan Franse ki pral ede blan Meriken goumen kont blan Angle nan yon peyi kote tout nèg parèy yo se esklav?

Jaf

[Guysanto]

Jaf, mwen pa kwè mwen kab fè li pi klè, ak sa ki nan men mwen. Petèt Serge Bellegarde kapab komante sou lòt kesyon ou yo, paske li te patisipe nan seremoni sa, e se li ki voye tout foto ak komantè sou foto yo (ke mwen poko ajoute... n'a wè yo nan yon lòt ka d'è). Mwen pat ko bay Serge kredi a, se paske mwen tap travay toujou nan "edite ak pibliye" foto yo nan aspè teknik fowòm lan. Kounyè a, se kòmantè yo mwen gen pou mwen ajoute, men mwen pa kapab reponn kesyon yo, jan ou ta vle a, paske an reyalite tout sa ou wè la, se repòtaj foto Serge Bellegarde li ye, se pa inisyativ pa m.

[staff*]

October 8, 2007, a historic event in Savannah, Georgia

October 8, 2007 will forever remain engraved in the memory of the citizens of Savannah, Georgia and Haiti. Historical archives in Haiti and Savannah refer to the famous Battle of Savannah, but we can safely say that too few both in Haiti and in the United States and specifically in Savannah, are aware of the heroism of hundreds of soldiers of African descent. Former slaves recruited in the French Army in the colony of Saint-Domingue (later to become independent Haiti in 1804), who sailed from the city of St. Marc (later to become Haiti) to help the United States consolidate its young and fragile independence and get rid of the British who were still holding Savannah. Alongside soldiers of many other nations, the “Chasseurs de Saint-Domingue, as they were called, had the distinction of being the largest contingent of soldiers of African descent to come to the help of the United States. While we, Haitians who had the opportunity to go to school, learned about the famous Battle of Savannah, albeit not in great details, this historical fact remains largely ignored in the United States and in Savannah. That is what a group of modern day Haitians set out to do: to make this fact known and to honor the memory of these valiant soldiers, while seeking to establish a special relationship between Savannah and Haiti.

The Haitian-American Historical Society, led by Daniel Fils-Aimé, saw a 7-year long dream fulfilled with the unveiling, on October 8, 2007, of the monument in Savannah honoring those soldiers. The other members of the Society, Jean-Claude Exulien, Claude Charles, Pradel Vilmé, Anthony Box, Jean-Claude Cantave, Bernice Fidélia, Serge Rodrigue, Harry Saint-Louis deserve all our praise and admiration for this formidable feat. They scratched, they fought, they negotiated with mayors, City Council members, they lobbied US Congressmen, they appealed to reluctant fellow Haitians (oddly enough), sometimes were rebuffed, they made countless trips, they often spent their own money; but always they insisted, they persevered, they persisted, they remained focused, all for the noble cause of having Savannah and the American public at large recognize the heroic actions of these soldiers of African descent who had volunteered for such a noble cause and have the community at large look at Haiti from another perspective.

Haitians started arriving in Savannah on Thursday, October 4, but the bulk arrived on Saturday, all enthusiastic and proud, young and old, kids and adolescents, even babies. They came from Haiti, from Miami, from Maryland, from New York, from Connecticut, from Wilmington, Georgia etc. Many more who could have come did not know, were reluctant to participate and to help, or were just incredulous. Ah! The proverbial incredulity of my compatriots! In any case, those who came had the moment of their lives and those who did not….are now very sorry that they missed it.

The Gala which took place on Sunday night was an opportunity for the Haitian-American community to meet those who made the project possible: the members of he Haitian-American Historical Association, the former Mayor of Savannah, Floyd Adams, the Mayor of Savannah, Otis Johnson, the members of the City Council, key African-American supporters and many other high officials of Savannah, Congressman John Barrow from Georgia. Also in attendance was a representative of the Governor of Georgia, Sonny Purdue.

Also present were an imposing delegation from the city of St-Marc, Haiti. The reason for this is that it was from St.Marc that the Haitian contingent left for Savannah. Senator Bergrome, Senator Riché, the Mayor of St. Marc, the Minister for Haitians Abroad Jean Généus representing the Prime Minister of Haiti, Mr. Raymond Joseph from the Haitian Embassy, and Haitian Consul in Miami Ralph Latortue, were also present. A strong contingent of officials from Florida was in attendance: Congressman Kendrik Meeks and his family, Haitian-American State Representative Ronald Brise, former City Council members Jacques Despinosse and Philippe Brutus, Councilman Frantz Pierre.

The evening started with a beautiful rendition of the national anthems of the United States and of Haiti by professional singer Janelle Daguissan. Throughout the evening, musical entertainment was provided by fantastic sax player Jowee Omicil. Rather than giving you a blow by blow description, I Invite to go to the photo gallery of this electrifying evening. You will also view scenes from the actual unveiling on October 8 at Franklin Square.

Let me conclude by referring to another most important aspect of the project: that is the second phase. Yes indeed, the October 8 unveiling was only the first phase and Phase 2 started right on October 9. As you browse through the pictures, you may have noticed that there still is a lot of space on the pedestal. The 4 statues on the pedestal are in bronze. They have been exquisitely designed by artist James Masten. Adequate space was left on the pedestal to erect 2 more statues and that is the essence of the second phase: to collect funds for the completion of this project. The Haitian-American Historical Society aims at completing the project by February 2008. That means that there is an urgency to find the funds to proceed. The artist has to be paid to start on the other statues. All this to say that each and every one of us should make an effort to contribute, however small the contribution may be. Every penny counts. Contributions may be sent to the following address:

Haitian American Historical Society
9822 NE 2nd Avenue , Suite 3A
Miami Shores, Fl 33138

All checks are to be made to the order of: Haitian-American Historical Society
E-Mail: haitianhistory@bellesouth.net
Website: www.haitianhistory.org

There was a lot of skepticism when this project started and were it not for the 7 years of perseverance and tenacity on the part of the members of the Haitian-American Historical Society, it certainly would not have come to fruition. Now that the monument at Franklin Square is there for everyone to see, to go on a pilgrimage even, the time is now to make the second phase another reality by actively contributing to the fund collection. Do not delay! It is a matter of history, of solidarity and of rehabilitation.

[Serge]

Kanmarad Jaf, kouman ye?

Me sa lejand foto a di:

In 1779, a continent of Chasseurs Volontaires, led by French Count D'Estaing, departed from Cap-Fracois (sic), Saint Domingue, to join the fight for American independence in Savannah, Georgia. On April 25, 1944, a plaque was unveiled in Saint Marc, commemorating that act of selfless heroism. On September 7, 1944, he United States Department of State sent the Honorable Thomas Gamble, then Mayor of Savannah, six photographs depicting the plaque's unveiling. The photographs are part of the "Commemoration du départ des volontaires Haitiens en 1779" portion of the Gamble Collection at the Public Library in Savannah.

Se la koneksyon an ye ak evènman sa. M'a voye foto ankò bay Guy, malerezman mwen pat ka vanse ase pre pou mwen pran tout tablo a klè.

Dezyèm kesyon w lan, ou fòmile li konsa:

Pou koze Savannah sa-a, mwenmenm mwen ta renmen wè dokiman istorik ki esplike pwosesis yon timoun 12 lane (tankou Henri Christophe) te suiv pou li te vin "volunteer" nan yon lame blan Franse ki pral ede blan Meriken goumen kont blan Angle nan yon peyi kote tout nèg parèy yo se esklav?

Pou mwen menm, mwen pa kwè nan kondisyon sa, nou ka pale de "pwosesis". Blan kolon yo pat nan zafè pwosesis; se yo ki te sèl chèf, yo te aji ak gwo ponyèt dapre enterè yo. Kouman Christophe, 12 lane, te rive Savannah? Mwen pa kwè te gen oken pwosesis ki te itilize, men pou di w la verite, sèl dokiman istorik mwen ta ka repwodui, se pasaj sila ki soti nan yon istwa Dayiti Pè Adrien te ekri lè li te pwofesè nan Petit Séminaire Collège Saint Martial. Li va repon yon ti kras kesyon ou te mande a:

Né dans l'île de la Grenade le 6 octobre 1767, probablement d'un père libre, Christophe était anglais de naissance, car l'île venait de passer à l'Angleterre. C'est tout ce qu'on sait de Christophe avant la révolte des esclaves. Le reste n'est que traditions incontrôlables. Il aurait été embarqué sur un navire français qui l'aurait abandonné au Cap où il serait devenu garçon de cuisine d'un certain M. de Badèche. Vers l'âge de 12 ans, il aurait accompagné comme boy un officier français partant pour l'expédition de Savannah. Ensuite, il serait devenu cuisinier à l'Hostellerie. Très tôt, il fait partie des bandes d'esclaves révoltés de Biassou. ...."

Nou dakò depi lè istwa sa te ekri, gen plis enfòmasyon yo jwen sou Christophe, men tèks sa montre ke nan epòk sa, kelkeswa laj li, se sèvo ki te pèmèt yon esklav fè chimen li. Christophe te ase entelijan pou-l soti kote li soti a pou li rive Savannah epi pita pou-l vin yon gwo kòmandan nan lame Toussaint an.

Jaf ak Guy, mwen pa gen plis enfòmasyon sou koze sa. Nenpòt kilè mwen gen lòt enfomasyon ankò sou sa, m'a poste yo sou fowòm lan.

Kenbe fèm,

Serge

[jafrikayiti]

mEsi anpil pou presizyon yo kanmarad !