Grand Bay soldier gives back

Retired US Serviceman Sergeant Major Ralph Alcendor

He saw action in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Iraq, Restore Hope in Somalia, Uphold Democracy in Haiti and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and now retired Sergeant Major Ralph Alcendor thinks it is time to give back to his community of Grand Bay.

“I’m passionate about South City, Grand Bay,” the retired GI said. “That piece of real estate at the south of Dominica and those who live there, molded and nurtured me and now I’m locked into give-back mode.”

He has given two scholarships worth $1,300 to worthy students of the community and has now trained his sights on the Grand Bay Scout Troop to which he donated $1,000 which will be used towards the growth and development of scouting in the area.

Alcendor, who is living in Atlanta, Georgia, is of the view that the education provided by his scholarships, and the discipline and leadership that scouting will instill can help stem the tide of deviance that threatens to overwhelm Grand Bay youth.

“I think that the people of Grand Bay, especially the youth are the principal resource, and I will do all within my power to assist in that regard,” Alcendor pointed out.

Alcendor, who has earned one Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, four Meritious Service Medals and five Army Commendations among others, said he has a vision for developing the community.

“I have that vision of developing the village along the Pierre Charles Boulevard from Savanne Yay-yay all the way to the other side of Grande Riviere … throw a bridge across the river towards Dubique, and  build  another boulevard up towards the other bridge by the Playing Field in a way that would improve the aesthetics of the immediate area. I want to help in doing those things,” Alcendor said.

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76 Comments

  1. Uncle Sam
    September 1, 2012

    Brother !…You are an example that more Dominicans out there should practice .
    Jah Bless You …. And as far as I know , Mr Alcendor is a retired Command Sergeant Major .. The highest enlisted rank in the U S Army .
    .. CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!! Ýou have made Dominica proud .

  2. Anonymous
    August 30, 2012

    I would like to command CSM for outstanding lead from the front attitude. I served under this man back in OIF1….. Eagle lift!

  3. SCHOOL
    August 29, 2012

    Dear Admin.

    Mr. Alcendor actually gave two scholarships to the Pierre Charles Secondary School totalling $2600.00. Grateful if you would adjust your article to reflect same.

  4. August 28, 2012

    We need more Scholarship funds from the fortunate ones. We have many Grandbayrians in high positions all over the USA, London and Canada. If we want to see growth and improvement we need to share the wealth. Bring it home and invest in the community.

  5. August 28, 2012

    Cool Running you remind me of WatLa.
    Justina is in Grand Bay and in the business of giving (SERVICE). A Nurse by Profession. She have nurse our wounded,she deliver babies, she attend to the sick, slept in the hospital to await our emergencies. If her salary was as BIG as the soldier I think she would give the same amount. Not because someone else came up with ‘Largent Shess’ and now making a contribution (all good and I want to congratulate the soldier on his gesture)we have to be so ungrateful. Magwaysa!!!

  6. honeybee
    August 28, 2012

    if he goes up as our representative that will be great, just as long as the interest of the community is at heart. Nothing wrong in being politica. Politics give you the power to do lots of good, once you are good at heart.

  7. PLEASED
    August 28, 2012

    GOOD CHARITY WORK MR. ALCINDOR BUT PLEASE DONT FORGET TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND SAVE FOR TOMORROW.

  8. Anonymous
    August 28, 2012

    Thank you sir for giving back to your homeland. We should appreciate this and not try to look for ulterior motives. A lot more people would but whenever people so good in Dominica – people always say “oh he or she want to go into politics man’ NOOOOOOOO there are a lot of good people out there with good hearts so kudos to you sir and all the others who find the time and resources to help the young people.

  9. Vanessa Angol
    August 28, 2012

    Sergeant Major Ralph Alcendor, its a good idea to want to cleans and help your community and i support you loo percent of the way, but right now your community is at a point where one of the main drug suppliers is based, guns and violence. i do hope that with your help our dear grandbay will be cleans of these Illegalities.

    • August 28, 2012

      very good comment, clean up all the illegal activities , parlez moin d sa

  10. MOUN GWAH BAY
    August 28, 2012

    somebody want to go up for parl rep man? <<>>

    • DOMINICAN
      August 28, 2012

      please leave politics out of it. please.kairi fm and q95 have enough political roro already. don’t put our sout city in that we not in that politics ting ok.

  11. out of south city
    August 28, 2012

    Brother Ralph, you truly have a vision and a heart for your people, especially the youth who need that the most. It really takes a village to raise a child and that’s what we did during my time growing up as a youth in the village. The saying, “where there is no vision the people perish,” is really true and we all should play a major role in our community, village and island and not wait on outsiders to do it for us. We must realise that where there is unity, there is also strength and together we can build our island.

    Continue to keep up the tremendous work and I know that you will be rewarded in the end

  12. --------
    August 28, 2012

    May God continue to grant you His favour.

  13. Juliette Cuffy
    August 28, 2012

    Well done good and faithful servant…
    Very much inspired by this.

    • Teacher
      August 29, 2012

      Well done, Sir! Juliette Cuffy … are you “Baby” from Loubiere? If it’s you, long time no see. Let me know, cousin :wink:

  14. Bolom
    August 28, 2012

    I salute you Sarge, continue doing the good work that you are doing for Grand Bay and Dominica.May God richly bless you.

  15. August 28, 2012

    Good job sir,I’ll proud of you,I wish god will help me do the same as you.

  16. P***z
    August 28, 2012

    Yes I Ralphie…I cannot even find words to express my feelings….hyper positive man, keep up the very good works…”dayrantay day me ay”….I still remember….. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  17. Justice and Truth
    August 28, 2012

    Excellent effort to help your community. God blesses those who eagerly help especially where it is greatly needed, in the youth community. This is self-sacrifice for the love of country and its people whom you have not forgotten.
    God bless you and grant you continued health and strength as you also enjoy your retirement. Happiness and peace to you and your family.

    • DOMINICAN
      August 28, 2012

      good results and what i am proud of is that he is not giving back the profits of blood and drugs mony but his hard years of toil and sweat. MAY GOD GRANT THIS MAN ALL GOOD THINGS.

  18. CB BOSS
    August 27, 2012

    I commend you wholeheartedly. You make me proud.

    Remember those days in C/ville when we use to cook those Dominica broth… your heart was always in Dominica among your people.

    Air Assault

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ CB Boss

      Some people left home for certain reasons but in reality, they did not leave home. Their hearts are still at home. How can they ever forget their homeland and roots? While abroad we try to keep the Dominican spirit and we do succeed, each in his or her way.

  19. ideal
    August 27, 2012

    wish more Dominicans would do more of this..God Bless you and may this gesture influence more of us to give back to DA

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ ideal

      I hope you do too. If you are in Dominica, there is a lot you can do. Speak to government officials, the MP who represents you and your area and ask what you could do to assist. Dominicans must help themselves. Yes! If more people helped, Dominica could be a better, more progressive place and sooner.
      Those abroad have personal obligations to fulfill, depending on their commitments and their income. They pay their fair share of taxes – too much of it.

      In the words of the late President Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

  20. "O" STRESS!
    August 27, 2012

    That is a real hero, he talk the Talk and walk the walk,but we still have some giving such a noble gesture thumps down, the next thing they are going to do is try to run him out of Dominica or go negative Sgt, i hope you are ready for the haters, our prayers are with you and your family God speed, and I hope others follow our foot steps thou i choose not to go public with my contribution to my beloved country. But I stand ready to assist in any way possible good luck.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ “O” Stress

      There are times that they should go public with it. Let others know about it without making an issue out of it and bragging. In so doing, he could influence others as Dominicans who reside in Dominica to follow suit and to do something for their country. After all they reside in it and are receiving its benefits. God loves a cheerful giver.

  21. (.) (.)
    August 27, 2012

    When I win the lottery, I will give all you wii. Right now I have to concentrate on my bills

  22. dominican canadain
    August 27, 2012

    that is so nice of mr alcendor could not have done it better may god bless u

  23. still i rise
    August 27, 2012

    GRAND BAY AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Anonymous
      August 28, 2012

      stop hateing on grandbay

  24. PICODEAU
    August 27, 2012

    Command Sergeant Major Alcendor, I commend you on a job well done.

    Your great initiative and giving spirit in in keeping with the finest traditions of our forefathers/mothers and reflect great credit upon you, Grand Bay and Our Beloved Dominica.

    God Bless
    An Old Soldier

  25. Anonymous
    August 27, 2012

    I am proud to hear these of my community fellow men..Keep up the good work..

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ Anonymous

      It is an incentive for those of your community who are presently residing there to help it with whatever resources they can spare.

  26. Doc. Love
    August 27, 2012

    On behalf of the people of Grandbay,I wish to thank you. The people of the Grandbay constuiency need proper representative in parliament, therefore , I wish you would consider removing your people from political bondage.

  27. lee
    August 27, 2012

    Blessings to you and your family Sir that’s a very
    goog jesture.

  28. DOMINICA
    August 27, 2012

    God Bless you

  29. cool running
    August 27, 2012

    UWP, Grandbay, and Dominica can do with your level of expertise, the true democracy you experienced in the USA, and your commitment to national development. Please consider contesting the next election against Mrs. Charles who is yet to prove that she is capable of doing anything meaningful for South City.

  30. him
    August 27, 2012

    Well done sir…Keep up your good work and love you have for your country.

  31. Observer
    August 27, 2012

    Mr. Alcendor is doing an excelent piece of service to his community and Dominica by extension. Unlike others in the diaspora, he did not wait or is not waiting to be in government or seeking after a government appointment or in a position to rub shoulders with PM Skerrit to ocntibute the the land of his birth. He is doing that simply because he loves Dominica and South City. That does not mean that those who are able to contribute at the national level should not show such interest. But the point of all this is. Service at the national level (government) ought not to be the only area that some people can serve. Mr. Alcendor’s intiatives will touch the lives of so many young people that will redound to the benefit of Dominica and South City. This is much more than the daily, endless talk, talk, talk emanting from mobile telephones in Atlanta and Washington. Take a bow Mr. Alcendor

  32. August 27, 2012

    Well done my brother, keep up the good work, and all the best to you.

  33. jerseydominican
    August 27, 2012

    thats so nice of him to give back to the kids of grand bay i would like to know can i give to my birth home the kids education is the key to the future for our young people of dominica.

  34. Rastafari
    August 27, 2012

    Good people do the right things, and this guy is doing the right thing because his heart is in the right place. Thanks for making a difference!

  35. bigger
    August 27, 2012

    I am from South City Sir,and i’m extremely proud of you that’s what i call a patriot not one that leaves thousands of miles away creating disharmony in our beautiful country.SHAME ON THEM

  36. August 27, 2012

    i am very glad that u a giving back to my village i need u to get all the friends u had in grandbay to do more things for the village please we need another reunion for the community for more development i love grandbay thanks

  37. Dominicanpearl2
    August 27, 2012

    I salute you Sergeant Major Alcendor. Thanks very much for your generousity. I am not from Grandbay but I am Dominican. All positive, no negative.

  38. trute
    August 27, 2012

    Nice to hear positive vibes like this!

  39. Aye Dominique
    August 27, 2012

    great initiative, keep up the good work……this is something to emulate

  40. RhondaRow
    August 27, 2012

    How nice of you grandpa :) i know they will appreciate all that you do for them, as i do.

  41. watt la
    August 27, 2012

    Ralph Alcendor has donated more than the above donations to individuals and informal entities and most of them are undisclosed because he gives forward from the heart and not for glory.He is seen as someone who has the deepest passion for change among the Grand Bay diaspora. It is a crying shame they never published what he has done in the passed on D.N.O. Much thanks Bonti “Batu” Liverpool!

    • Tiger
      August 28, 2012

      You would be surprised how many people give without seeking public recognition. I have given scholarships, but you will never see my name in the papers. There are many people who do that, so I am not surprised if Mr. Alcendor gave in the past without seeking public recognition. The acrt of giving is its own reward.

    • Give
      August 28, 2012

      Many persons give without wanting recognition or any return favours. That is the beauty in giving. I give and I do not need Matt, Kamala or DBS to make me feel I’ve accomplished something great.

  42. woodfordhill girl
    August 27, 2012

    Good looking out sarg,you did not forget our country D/a I also salute you for serving the usa where we reside thank ypu

  43. El Presidente
    August 27, 2012

    Please don’t get into politics…the same one that praise you now, will devour you later…do you thing bro

    • Positive vibes
      August 27, 2012

      a a why are you putting blight on the man?

    • Dominican Blood
      September 7, 2012

      Good Job Mr. Alcendor. We know that he is giving from the heart and not with the ulterior motive of a political agenda. Why? Because he is a U.S. Citizen and cannot retain office. More of us should look to improve our country without gain. Thank you, Mr. Alcendor.

  44. August 27, 2012

    We need more soldiers like you to step up and help. Good job soldier

  45. jose
    August 27, 2012

    :( :-x

    • Positive vibes
      August 27, 2012

      @jose..what is your problem with those silly faced emotions….chupps..you need to grow up.yh….please do that

  46. Anonymous
    August 27, 2012

    Reading this gave me chills! It is so nice to know of Dominicans abroad who want to give back to their community and country by extension (instead of criticizing from afar). Although I come from Petite Savanne, Grand Bay was like my second home. Mr. Alcendor, good luck in your endeavors and God’s blessings sir.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ Anonymous

      There are many who would like to give back in many respects. In time, they will. They also live in an environment where they have to give back in gratitude.
      If they criticize and it is constructive criticism, there is nothing wrong with it. It all depends what type of manner they criticize. It will show in their comments. There are some people who cannot differentiate between constructive criticism and non-constructive ones.

  47. jose
    August 27, 2012

    :wink:

  48. Chocolat
    August 27, 2012

    Keep up the good work Mr. Alcendor. Do wish others will take a chapter from your book and give back to their communities as well. Best Wishes

  49. Shameless
    August 27, 2012

    Thank you sir for giving back. This shows that unlike popular beliefs here, the patriots who left our shores in search of a better life still care tremendously. I am certain the community of Grand Bay is proud of you.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  50. LadyB
    August 27, 2012

    Patriotism in action, way to go Sgt Major. Many Blessings to you and Family.

  51. Viewpoint
    August 27, 2012

    great stuff!

  52. ?????????????
    August 27, 2012

    I forgot the other donations that you gave. Yes I think that instilling discipline at an early age thru the organisations mentioned is very good and will surely help in area.

  53. Grandbarian
    August 27, 2012

    Oh, thanks be to God. May God multiply your giving back to you.Keep on being the positive person that you are.

  54. August 27, 2012

    Good job Sergeant Major Ralph Alcendor for giving back to your community, we need more Dominicans out there to do the same, helping families in need, thank you Jah Bless

  55. ?????????????
    August 27, 2012

    This report brought the tears to my eyes. ??? When I look at the area mentioned, this is something that I have identified with driving in that area. May the Good Lord help Mr Alcendor in meeting his vision. Grandbarians rally behind Mr Alcendor.

  56. Anonymous
    August 27, 2012

    He gave two $1300 scholarships to two Grand Bay students total $2600.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ Anonymous

      If it is in U.S. funds, double the amount in E.C. currency.

  57. Harolda
    August 27, 2012

    Thanks Ralph. If many more would do like you did; putting their money where the mouth is, Grand Bay would be the envy of the rest of Dominica. Hope Roger will also follow suit.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 28, 2012

      @ Harolda

      Many in that same community. There are some people who hold on tight to what they have while their bank accounts grow. We cannot take it with us. We need to leave something good behind as he does and help our community specifically the youths. They need the most help.

  58. Anonymous
    August 27, 2012

    He gave two scholarships worth $2600 to two Grand Bay students, each received $1300.

  59. August 27, 2012

    You go dad u did a wonderful job giving back to your community

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