The U.S. Army conducted a naturalization and re-enlistment ceremony at Camp Victory on Wednesday.
Over 160 Soldiers became U.S. citizens at Camp Victory’s Al Faw Palace, while 600 servicemembers serving around IraqAmerica’s 231st birthday. re-enlisted on
Becoming a U.S. citizen is a life-long dream come true for the newly naturalized Soldiers.
“I always wanted to become one ever since I was a little girl,” said Pfc. Kellin Varela, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. “So I decided to do it when I joined the service.“
For others, this is a chance to help out family members as well as ensuring their future in an increasingly complex world.
“The reason I chose to become a citizen is to help out my family to make sure they live a better life,” said El Salvador native Spc. Carlos Abarca, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
Some Soldiers credited the rights that Americans have as a major reason why they decided to become citizens.
“There are a lot of privileges I could not enjoy before and now I can, like the right to vote,” said Haiti native Sgt. Jacob Petion, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division. “I know that I am protected by U.S. laws just like any other U.S. born citizen.”
Soldiers who are not yet citizens are able to expedite the naturalization process and receive special consideration due to the sacrifices they make for their country.
“I was having problems back in the U.S. so I decided to wait until I came to Iraq to submit my packet,” said Varela. “I did it in April and here I am now, July 4th.”
Attaining U.S. citizenship also helps the Soldier open doors for future job opportunities outside of the Army.
“This will be good because I can get a security clearance,” said Varela. “I want to become a FBI agent and work for U.S. customs when I get out.”
For the Soldiers who re-enlisted, this was a proud day for them as that marks their continuing commitment to the Army.
“I want to become a warrant officer and I want to work as an intelligence analyst,” said Spc. Juanita Beasley, 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion Headquarters.
Many of the Soldiers are the first in their families to get U.S. citizenship.
“I’m the first one in my family that came from Cuba, to get their citizenship,” said Spc. Darianne Castro, 210 Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
With the conclusion of the ceremony, newly minted Americans were standing tall and looking good as they were ushered into a new era. Not as foreigners defending America against terrorism but as U.S. citizens fighting to protect the country they love dearly and have become a part of.
(U.S. Army story by Spc. Scott Kim, Combined Press Information Center)
