First Published: 14th of June, 2022. International News. USA. GSA News
Last updated: April 25, 2023 at 16:29 pm
Guyanese born Leland Shepherd has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of the Arkansas Army National Guard in the USA. The momentous occasion marks the first black army officer to command the Arkansas Army National Guard.
For my kids, and all the other kids, not just mine, that can look up at that podium, and be inspired by someone that looks like them, I’m serving as an inspiration.
General Brigadier Leland Shepherd
Shepherd was born in Guyana and spent part of his early childhood in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice. He later moved with his family to Georgetown where he attended East Ruimveldt and North Georgetown Secondary Schools. Since childhood, he always had a fascination with the Guyana Defense Force and would be forefront in the audience of the GDF parades. After his family moved to the United States, Shepherd enlisted in the US Army at the age of 20.
Leland Shepherd’s mom, Mrs. Griffith-Shepherd, was a teacher at St. Joseph’s High. In the US, she switched careers and starting working as a Registered Nurse. Leland’s father, George Shepherd, served as headmaster of the Campbellville and Charlestown Secondary Schools, and deputy headmaster at North Georgetown Secondary School.
Leland Shepherd shares a happy marriage with his wife, Zandral Shepherd, and the couple has five beautiful kids: Anthony, Lukas, Logan, Wells, and Ryan.
During the promotion ceremony, his eldest son, Ryan, who is also serving in the US military, said, “I’m really proud of my dad. He set a good example for all of us to follow.”
