Soldier wounded in Iraq is rewarded with U.S. citizenship

The Stars and Stripes ^ | European edition, Friday, September 19, 2003 | Patrick J. Dickson

[demlosers]

WASHINGTON — Army Spc. Hilario Bermanis was maimed in service to the United States, and a grateful nation made him one of us.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi took part in a ceremony Wednesday making Bermanis, of the 82nd Airborne Division, a U.S. citizen. Bermanis also is a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia.

“This young soldier serves as a true example of sacrifice to a nation that today he can call his own,” Principi was quoted as saying in a VA news release. “He gave of himself so that others could have a better tomorrow. The Department of Veterans Affairs will be there for Spc. Bermanis and thousands of other brave men and women returning home from harm’s way.”

Bermanis lost both legs and his left hand during an attack June 10 in Baghdad while he and a fellow soldier, who was killed instantly, were guarding a weapons turn-in point. Bermanis was evacuated to Germany and then transferred to Walter Reed.

He was awarded the Bronze Star for his conduct in action and a Purple Heart for his injuries.

Courtesy to Stars and Stripes
Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack Jr.,
commanding officer of the 82nd
Airborne, awards Spc. Hilario
Bermanis the Bronze Star for his
“conduct in action” and the Purple
Heart for wounds received during an
attack in southern Baghdad in a
bedside ceremony July 16 at Walter
Reed Army Medical Center in
Washington. Originally of
Micronesia, Bermanis was granted
U.S. citizenship at a Wednesday
ceremony at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center attended by Veterans
Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi,
Homel and Security Secretary Tom
Ridge and well as Bermanis’ parents
and 5-year-old brother.

Bermanis enlisted in the Army three years ago. His parents and 5-year-old brother attended the ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center along with Secretary Principi; Secretary Tom Ridge of the Department of Homeland Security; and Peter Christian, speaker of the Micronesian Congress.

On July 3, 2002, President Bush issued Executive Order 13269 providing naturalization for aliens and noncitizen nationals serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces during Operation Enduring Freedom, from September 11, 2001, to a date not yet determined.

September 17 was designated Citizenship Day in 1952 by President Harry Truman. The anniversary was established to focus on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, both native-born and naturalized.

[Archangelsk]

Well done, soldier, we cannot thank you or give you enough for the sacrifice you have made.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Freedom...
is clearly...
NOT free...
God bless this man and his family

[Destro]

Bermanis lost both legs and his left hand during an attack June 10 in Baghdad...He was awarded the Bronze Star for his conduct in action and a Purple Heart for his injuries.

So his injuries were on par with Pct. Jessica Lynch's?

[TomServo]

Gee - I hope he at least gets a book deal out of this. And maybe a TV interview or two. Maybe a car would help also..

Hand Salute to a real Hero..

Thanks for the ping, Destro...

[Imal]

So very sorry about his terrible losses. Both legs and his left hand, damn! There is no way to repay a sacrifice like that.

But so very proud to have this excellent soldier as my countryman.

[Archangelsk]

So his injuries were on par with Pct. Jessica Lynch's?

Please....don't...get....me...started.

[Destro]

There is no way to repay a sacrifice like that.

How about a million dollar book and movie deal for starters?

[conserv13]

What sacrifice.

I did not think that non citizens could become active duty military though. Was he an applicant or an illegal alien? I had heard of several illegal aliens serving overseas. While I applaud their service (ironic that many Dem commie citizens are not 1/10 as patriotic)! I wish the recruiters would pay more attention.

I guess the recruiters really do get paid to sign 'em up.

[Melas]

Yes, our military accepts non-citizens. I served in the 80's with several who were from South America.

[PsyOp]

In honor of Spc. Hilario Bermanis.

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." - George Washington.

"Neither among animals nor among foreign races do we find courage to be a characteristic of the most fierce, but rather of the gentler and lion-like dispositions.... One cannot imagine a wolf or any other wild animal engaging in a struggle against noble danger; but that is what a good man will do." - Aristotle, Politics, Bk. V, c.334-23. b.c.

No one who goes visiting far-off lands
Is more welcome than a strong and noble warrior.
- Beowulf, c. 900 AD.

"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." - The Bible, Old Testament, Judges 6:12.

"There are only two powers in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit." - Napoleon Bonaparte.

"Great has been the Greek, the Latin, the Slav, the Celt, the Teuton, and the Anglo-Saxon, but greater than any of these is the American, in which are blended the virtues of them all." - William Jennings Bryant.

"Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others." - Winston Churchill.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Many, maybe even a majority, or Medal of Honor winners were non-citizens. We as a people have always relied upon non-citizens to serve with our military.

Look up how people like Casamir Pulaski helped us from the very beginning.

[conserv13]

Look up how people like Casamir Pulaski helped us from the very beginning

Thanks!

It is funny, I live in Baltimore and there is a huge statue of Pulaski in my neighborhood!

[Central_Floridian]

It's sad but hardly anyone seems to know of Count Pulaski.

[smadurski]

I dont believe Illegals can do military service Im rather sure you have to have a green card to join up.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

A book deal, a movie deal, a trip to Hawaii for him and his family, and a full scholarship to the institute of higher learning of his choice.

Oh, and his face on the cover of People.

And a parade.

(God bless this guy.)

[dighton]

*

[Ramius]

[sigh] Way to go. Nice cheap shot.

[rdb3]

HOOAH!

Outstanding.

[LibKill]

Bermanis lost both legs and his left hand

Welcome, Army Spc. Hilario Bermanis.

May your days in our Republic be long and successful.

May your family increase and always honor your sacrifice.

BTW. Texas is a really good part of the U.S. Consider moving to Texas. We would be honored if you did.