Orlando Morel, 24, was just 6-years-old when he was recused at sea by the United States Coast Guard. He was one of many Haitian refugees trying to make it to America in one piece. Now, 18 years later, Morel, will be helping other refugees as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. CNN has more on the story.

When Orlando Morel was just 6 years old, the Haitian refugee was starving, dehydrated and lost among the masses of a tightly packed boat, feeling completely alone although he was with his mother

Morel was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard that day, 18 years ago.

Today, he can do the same for someone else. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut.

The ensign will be serving on a cutter out of Florida, helping to rescue Haitian refugees fleeing to the United States.

WATCH ORLANDO MOREL’S STORY FROM REFUGEE TO U.S. COAST GUARD ACADEMY:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=bestoftv/2012/05/18/exp-point-orlando-morel.cnn

But his path to the Coast Guard was not an easy one. Morel still recalls how he felt that day.

Click here for the rest of the story.