By Big Media Agency
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Lt. Cols. Leslie and Herbert Lorfils proudly announce their retirements from the United States Army, concluding more than six combined decades of exemplary service. The Lorfils, a married couple who have skillfully balanced their distinguished military careers while raising 12 children, will officially celebrate their retirement together in a joint ceremony on May 30, 2025.
LTC Leslie Lorfils is retiring with nearly 27 years of dedicated service on May 31. Her extensive career as a human resources officer and her commitment to the Army Wounded Warrior program reflect her deep passion for soldiers and their families. “My most rewarding experience was serving as director of the Army Wounded Warrior program,” Leslie remarked. “Witnessing the resilience of soldiers in the Warrior Games, seeing their determination and their ‘can-do’ attitudes will forever inspire me.”
LTC Herbert Lorfils retired on November 30, 2024, after 34 years of dedicated service as a Medical Logistics Officer, responsible for ensuring medical readiness across Army hospitals. His multiple deployments include Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and a tour in Korea. Reflecting on his military journey and family life, Herbert shared, “Failure was never an option for us. My parents emigrated from Haiti and sacrificed everything. That sacrifice has always pushed me forward, even through the toughest deployments.”
Throughout their remarkable careers, the Lorfils navigated challenging deployments, sometimes back-to-back, relying heavily on their community and family strength. Leslie fondly noted, “We’ve had an amazing village of support—church, sorority sisters, friends—who stepped in to help. Our family thrived because we empowered our children from an early age. They learned teamwork at home, helping each other even in our absence.” Herbert also emphasized, “There’s no way in God’s green earth we could have done this without the support of our community.”
Both LTCs Herbert and Leslie emphasized the value of mindset and perseverance in achieving success. Leslie stated, “It’s always about mindset. My husband often says, ‘It’s only a moment,’ and this has kept us focused during challenging times. If you think you can do it, you can do it. If you don’t think you can do it, you won’t do it.” Herbert shared a powerful personal reflection, recalling, “My dad once said to me, ‘I did not bring you to this country to not succeed.’ That moment always re-centers me when things get tough.”
Reflecting on the future, Herbert looks forward to precious moments often missed during active duty. “Being available for Leslie and our kids, simple things like walking my children to the bus stop, making dinner together—these are moments I cherish most now,” Herbert said. Leslie echoed this sentiment, adding, “We are excited for this second half of our lives, experiencing freedom and being fully present for our family and each other.”
The Lorfils’ inspiring journey extends beyond their military service, as they transition into business ventures, including transformational speaking, holistic wellness, travel and legacy building. For example, Leslie has created Girl Organize that Life, a business dedicated to empowering and supporting busy mompreneurs and executive-level moms.
Leslie summarized their philosophy by encouraging others: “Take time to do some introspection and always ask how you can further edify somebody else. When you don’t show up the way you should, ask yourself, ‘Who am I leaving behind?'”
Their story continues to be one of resilience, faith, family, and extraordinary leadership.