Posted on 03/28/2008 3:27:03 PM PDT by nuconvert
Soldiers become American citizens in Africa
DJIBOUTI (March 16, 2008) — Seven Soldiers supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa mission became U.S. citizens during a Military Naturalization Ceremony at the U.S. Embassy March 13.
After enlisting in the Army and serving the United States, Four Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry (Light), Delta Company, and three Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Delta Company, raised their right hands and said the Oath of Allegiance.
During the ceremony, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington, U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti and keynote speaker, addressed the candidates reminding them about the oath they took to protect and defend the United States and the Constitution when enlisting in the Army, and explained that the Oath of Allegiance was reaffirming what the Soldiers had already sworn to do.
“You all have already fought for our freedom,” said Symington. “No other American has earned the right to our citizenship like you have done. You have already risked your lives, your liberty and pledged your honor to that same cause, and few men and women have done that since as the terms of their citizenship. You are special for that reason.”
Prior to the oath, Linda Dougherty, immigration officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, gave a little background on naturalization.
“Each candidate for naturalization has a unique story of his life and efforts to become an American - a privilege many of us view nothing more than a birth right,” said Dougherty. “Although all non-military candidates for naturalization must be interviewed and take the oath of citizenship in the United States, since Oct. 1, 2004, Active Duty military have been eligible to be oathed worldwide. I attended the first ceremony at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and the first here in Djibouti in September of 2006.
“At each ceremony, the military has been thankful for our willingness to go where they are based, but we consider it an honor to serve those who have chosen to serve a country they could not yet call their own,” she said. “Before, you were candidates from five countries who upon taking the oath, will become citizens of one.”
Dougherty then presented the seven candidates from Micronesia, Canada, Kenya, Philippines and Palau for naturalization.
Once the Soldiers recited the Oath of Allegiance, Army Spc. Markus N. Manabat, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry (Light), Delta Company machine gunner, led the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as an American citizen.
“It’s a special day for us,” said Manabat, a Mangialo, Guam, native who is a part of the Guam National Guard. “There’s no feeling like it. It’s overwhelming – a dream come true. Everyone wants to become a U.S. citizen.”
The vast feelings of becoming a citizen was also a similar feeling for Army Spc. Peter P. Irungu, 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Delta Company, also known as the Old Guard, supply specialist.
“It’s hard to describe what I’m feeling,” he said. “Now being a citizen, on a professional level, I can advance being a ranger.”
Irungu joined the military in 2004, after emigrating from Nairobi, Kenya.
“I felt like I owed something to the country, and I should pay back,” said Irungu. “I feel very privileged to be at this point. It’s a pretty big milestone.”
Becoming an American citizen is a unique experience, but for the Nariobi native, being deployed to Africa and going through the naturalization process was quite an experience.
“There’s a special connection serving here,” said Irungu. “The last year of my military service I have spent in my homeland. It’s been an honor and a privilege to be able to contribute in an effective way.”
Some American’s may take the opportunities available to them for granted, but for this new citizen, he is well aware of the benefits that can be gained by being a United States citizen.
“The thing about the American culture is that there are a lot of opportunities,” he said. “It’s unlimited on what you can achieve. It’s being plugged into huge capabilities. You’re able to advance yourself in so many different ways. In other countries, it’s very difficult to advance yourself. Going to school is pretty expensive. When it comes to employment, there are all kinds of jobs; it’s just phenomenal.”
Legal immigrants are one of our greatest strengths as a nation. I am happy to share my homeland with these new American citizens.
“I felt like I owed something to the country, and I should pay back,” said Irungu. “I feel very privileged to be at this point. It’s a pretty big milestone.”
These people contribute to our country. They are a far different breed than those who come here to milk it.
They were not recruited because we couldn't find our own citizens willing to serve. They volunteered because they wanted to be a part of this great nation. The comparison to Rome where foreigners were the majority and citizens a small minority is the exact opposite of our situation.
These soldiers are better Americans than 90% of the natural born citizens running our political system.
“These soldiers are better Americans than 90% of the natural born citizens running our political system.”
Im with you. Id share a dinner table or a neighborhood with anyone who serves in our military to become a citizen.
I know a naturalized citizen from Nigeria who is serving in the Air Force. He’s more conservative that many of the folks here. I’m glad he wants to be an American.
With your attitude, the US would have been dead in the water a long time ago. The Irish fought the Civil War on the Northern side, and many other immigrant and foreign groups have contributed to US efforts; there was an excellent Mexican bomber squadron during WWII, for example.
Our big problem is not that natural born citizens don’t want to join. It’s that we don’t have enough of them. Abortion has done more than decimate the US, and if we didn’t have immigrants, we would be like Europe - not even at replacement rate.
So think about transmitting values and belief, and stop hating the people who are going to take your place in this country one day.
that french foreign legion has really turned france into a serious military power
God bless every one of these guys!
Time to step away from the bong.
I love it when people become American citizens the right way. And who earns it more than those that would put their life on the line for this country?
God bless America, and these new Americans!
“The thing about the American culture is that there are a lot of opportunities,” he said. “It’s unlimited on what you can achieve. It’s being plugged into huge capabilities. You’re able to advance yourself in so many different ways. In other countries, it’s very difficult to advance yourself. Going to school is pretty expensive. When it comes to employment, there are all kinds of jobs; it’s just phenomenal.”
I guess he is not going to be handicapped by the self-inflicted obsession of so many native-born “African-Americans” that blacks can’t advance in America.
I agree....the gent chose the country and an honorable manner for serving his newly adopted nation....Bravo!
“When you can’t find enough of your own natural born citizens won’t volunteer to fight for their, expect trouble.”
Enlistments were short by 7, so we sacrificed the whole country?
Seriously dude, you need to get a life.
The difference: US soldiers from foreign countries serve in the normal units. Romans had their immigrants in Foederati, under their own tribal leaders, an organization that would seem calculated to prevent assimulated.
in the 1970s I was an infantry officer with a large minority of hispanic soldiers, all from California, Texas, and Puerto Rico. In three years they learned more English than they had in their previous 18 to 20 years. They assimulated.
By contrast, Gurkhas serve in an all Gurkha regiment, have Gurkha NCOs and return to Nepal when their service is complete. No assimulation.
Uhhh.... foreigners have served in the Army of the United States ever since there was a United States that had an army to serve in. What a dolt.
btt
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