Deployed Servicemembers Become American Citizens (Shake hands with your new brother Americans)

American Forces Press Service ^

[SandRat]

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, April 7, 2006 – Servicemembers deployed to Kuwait became U.S. citizens yesterday during a naturalization ceremony at chapel here.

Fifty-seven soldiers and sailors from 26 different countries became naturalized U.S. citizens in a ceremony at a chapel in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 6.   

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Fifty-seven soldiers and sailors from 26 different countries were presented a certificate by Army Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third U.S. Army commander, and Matthew H. Tueller, charge d'affairs of the U.S. Embassy Kuwait.

"It is a great day to be an American," said Whitcomb. "I am not only happy and proud to be here as a soldier, but as an American as well."

"As new citizens to the United States, I salute you," Tueller said. "From today on, you have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream."

Special guests from the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, Rome office, participated in the ceremony. Lori Pietropaoli, officer in charge, administered the oath of allegiance and presented the certificates. Joseph Hackbarth, immigration officer, presented the candidates.

To become eligible for U.S. citizenship, a person must demonstrate good moral character, an understanding of U.S. history and government, and comprehension of the English language.

The ceremony was the first one conducted since mid-December as servicemembers from all over Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar took the oath to become U.S. citizens.

(Based on a Coalition Forces Land Component Command news release.)

[SandRat]

Darn Allergies!

[SandRat]

WOO-HOO!!!! New Citizens, THE RIGHT WAY!!!

[armymarinemom]

Sniff! God Bless them.

[Doctor Raoul]

I'd love to see the list of countries.

[dinok]

Legal and Vets to boot.
Even after I was naturalised, I didn't feel like an American until I was serving in the Cav. during the Reagan years standing guard on the ramparts of democracy.

There's no place like the USA.

OH yeahh..and speak English!!!

[Doctor Raoul]

You heard it hear first, someday, the WaPo or the NYT will refer to these folks as "Uncle Sam's Foreign Legions" and will use it to knock military recruiting.

[Starve The Beast]

Welcome to America!

[sgtyork]

Welcome New Brothers! Legal Immigration with Patriotism!

[Squantos]

BTTT......Awesome !

[noobiangod]

I'll bet those guys that risk their lives to become Americans will be real pleased with the mexicans getting the same thing by sneakin' cross the border and breaking the law.

[Calpernia]

Fifty-seven soldiers and sailors from 26 different countries became naturalized U.S. citizens in a ceremony at a chapel in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 6.  

[sinkspur]

I'll bet those guys that risk their lives to become Americans will be real pleased with the mexicans getting the same thing by sneakin' cross the border and breaking the law.

Where is that happening?

[Trailerpark Badass]

Awesome!

[Vigilanteman]

To become eligible for U.S. citizenship, a person must demonstrate good moral character, an understanding of U.S. history and government, and comprehension of the English language.

A lot of Liberals wouldn't pass this test.

[CowboyJay]

THESE are the kind of people we need more of. No doubt some solid candidates to actually pay taxes, vote pubbie, and tear-up when the hear the Star Spangled Banner.

[freedumb2003]

Welcome welcome welcome fellow Americans!

This is a great story!

[Trajan88]

Now that is some good bull!

Trajan88; TAMU Class of '88

[4U2OUI]

Kewl.............

[buwaya]

If you were to open a recruiting office in Tijuana or Nuevo Laredo, or Mexico City, authorized to recruit foreigners, it would be swamped. You could recruit a couple of Army Corps (3-5 divisions) in a week or two. And there's another Army Corps just waiting in Manila. And another in Bombay. And another in Guangdong.

Getting in legally is sort of like winning a lottery, or being born rich. You have to be lucky.

I have nothing but respect for these soldiers and patriots, but they had to get in before they could enlist.

There are literally dozens of millions out there that would give anything to be in their shoes - for the privelege of risking their lives for the US.

[buwaya]

Don't kid yourself. If you gave those people sneaking over the border the option of being legal in exchange for paying taxes, serving in the military, etc., nearly all of them would take that deal in a minute.