Posthumous citizenship granted for 2 fallen Marines

AP ^ | 4/2/03

[InHisImage]

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP) - The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services has approved posthumous citizenship for two fallen Marines from Southern California, Cpl. Jose Angel Garibay and Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, both killed in combat in Iraq. The new bureau's acting director, Eduardo Aguire, is expected to sign their certificates of naturalization on Wednesday in Laguna Niguel, bureau spokesman Ron Rogers said Tuesday.

[InHisImage]

I've noted, with interest, that a large number of these fighting men and women seem to have Hispanic last names. God bless all of them.

[Howlin]

God bless their souls.

[Kenton]

Bravo.

[Marc Poor]

I am proud to be called their countryman.

[Nat Turner]

DUTY HONOR COUNTRY

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Salute !

[The South Texan]

They've earned it. God Bless them and their families.

[theDentist]

That's the least we can do, but I bet to them it's an honor greater than the CMH.

[Dianna]

God bless their souls.

My only regret is that we didn't allow them this honor while alive. They certainly deserve it.

[Lizavetta]

So even the military doesn't require enlistees to be American citizens?

[SuziQ]

How fitting!! If anyone deserves citizenship, it is someone who is willing to fight, and unfortunately sometimes, die, for this country!

[JeeperFreeper]

Marines take care of Marines.

[amused]

An honor earned with blood.

Even if the government did not grant these brave young men citizenship, I would have been proud to call them my countrymen.

[MineralMan]

"So even the military doesn't require enlistees to be American citizens?"

No, it doesn't. Many non-citizens have fought and died in the US Military Services.

[Black Agnes]

Actually, as a %age of those in the general population, they're underrepresented in the military.

[PhilipFreneau]

So even the military doesn't require enlistees to be American citizens?

Never has, to my knowledge. During the Vietnam War I met many who were not U. S. citizens. One sailor from the Philipines told me he joined the military to help him obtain citizenship.

[Blackyce]

The U.S. military has never required enlistees to be American citizens.

[arkfreepdom]

So even the military doesn't require enlistees to be American citizens?

No. It's a long tradition. I've always thought that if you serve honorably you deserve citizenship.

[Howlin]

Precisely.

[mattdono]

I agree. If you put yourself in harm's way for this country and protect this country and its citizens, then you deserve to be one.