By Air Force 2nd Lt. Victoria Brayton, Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command Public Affairs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- Two Haitian-born Marines are using their language skills to help the humanitarian efforts in Haiti, and as U.S. service members they've been heartily welcomed by the local population.

Staff Sgt. Michel Leandre and Sgt. Mark Louis arrived in Port-au-Prince after the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.

Leandre was born and raised in Port-au-Prince for the first six years of his life. Many of his family members still live in Haiti and were directly affected by the earthquake.

"It was hard seeing my family sleeping outside on the floor," Leandre said. "My uncle, he lost everything. My aunt, her house was destroyed."

Leandre, a contracting officer for the Marine Special Operations Command, hadn't stepped foot in Haiti since he left almost 25 years ago. Now he's back, working as an interpreter and traveling with civil affairs teams helping to communicate what people need and how various international and state organizations can be of assistance.

"Kids run and hug you, they grab your leg," Leandre said, smiling. "I tell them in Creole, I'm Haitian, just like you and they get even more excited."

Louis, also born in Haiti, hadn't returned since he moved to the United States when he was three years old.

"Even if I didn't grow up here, I still have a place in my heart for Haiti and its people," Louis said. "I'm happy to do whatever I can do to help."

Louis, a supply administrator for the 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, was excited to serve as an interpreter in Haiti.

Visiting the hospitals around Haiti has been particularly inspiring for him.

"They're not fully equipped with supplies, but they're doing everything they can to get by while the assistance is on its way," said Louis.