Mass Re-enlistment, Citizenship Ceremony Scheduled for July 4 in Iraq

Blackanthem Military News ^ | Jul 3, 2007 | Meghan Vittrup, American Forces Press Service

[mdittmar]

More than 600 troops are expected to re-enlist tomorrow, and more than 100 others will become U.S. citizens in an Independence Day ceremony at Camp Victory, Iraq.

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, made the announcement during an interview today on Bill Bennett's nationally syndicated radio program.

Petraeus and his senior enlisted leader, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, decided to hold this year's ceremony after the success of a previous ceremony in 2003 for the 101st Airborne Division.

"On the Fourth of July back in 2003, we had a re-enlistment ceremony. The idea was we would try to get 101, given the unit designation, to raise their right hand. And I think we had something like 150 that did," Petraeus said. "I think it's going to be somewhere close to 600 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are going to raise their right hand on the Fourth of July here and sign up for another tour in the armed forces."

Many non-citizen servicemembers in Iraq also will become citizens during the event.

"There is going to be a citizenship ceremony, as well, which will be exciting. A lot of great young men and women in uniform who I can't say are Americans yet, but they are serving and they have the American flag on their right shoulder. They have served our country, and now they will truly become citizens of our country as well," Petraeus said.

[mdittmar]

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering lims astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-brigded harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pom!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddle masses yearning to breath free, The wrechted refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering lims astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-brigded harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pom!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddle masses yearning to breath free, The wrechted refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

[mdittmar]

To all these new Citizens,have a great Independence Day.

[AKA Elena]

Such great news on both subjects, deserves a b^u^m^p!!!

[BobS]

That is nothing new. Over 20 years ago I was active duty AF with some people from foreign countries and commonwealths. They wanted to do something hard. Those tech tng. schools after basic make you study 10-11 hrs a day. No partying. I think I had the three hardest ones out of four and we all formed study groups to see how good we could get. All services went to those schools together.

They have more value than a college degree to an employer that knows the difference. Like Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon, Martin-Marietta and their supply sources.

[proudmilitarymrs]

Well, take THAT left-wing nut bags.