222 sailors sworn in as Americans under presidential order

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | August 9, 2003 | MATTHEW DOLAN

[dennisw]

btttttttttttt

[xrp]

Welcome additions to the American citizenry.

[Prodigal Son]

He questioned whether the incentives for noncitizens to join the American military could be so great that military service will become work Americans won't do.

Something to think about. We don't want to get to a point where one can truthfully quip: 'American freedom- defended by foreigners'

[ccmay]

My prior comments here.

-ccm

[AF68]

Kudos to these fine, new American citizens. As a veteran, I salute their patriotism and bravery.

[Tredge]

All I did was be born here, but they earned their citizenship. They eclipsed me and now I feel like a legacy member.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Something to think about. We don't want to get to a point where one can truthfully quip: 'American freedom- defended by foreigners'"

Sorry, but these are NOT "foreigners" they are "Americans in the making". Anybody who puts his/her ass on the line for the United States DESERVES to become a citizen (and some current denizens of America should, as a result of their actions, LOSE their citizenship---but unfortunately, that will never happen).

[Wilhelm Tell]

They endured the burdens and dangers that some citizens go through (and a minority of citizens, at that). And they did it before they become citizens. This is the opposite of some people who illegally come here and try to work the system to get benefits from the taxpayers.

[Alas Babylon!]

Up until recently, this was a way Philipinos could get citizenship. This was due to the fact that the Philipines was once an American territory. They became independent on July 4th, 1946. While we had promised them their independence earlier, the invasion and occupation of the Japanese forces put a damper on that. The Philipinos fought gallantly by our side, and suffered greatly with us in the Bataan Death March, guerilla campaigns, etc. One year after the war ended the Philipinos proudly stood up their own nation with us standing by their side. I've always admired the Philipinos servering in our Armed Forces. There was one in basic training with me, whom I'm sure is a productive American by now.

[Prodigal Son]

Sorry, but these are NOT "foreigners"

Why are you apologizing to me?

I have nothing against foreigners. I am married to one. I served alongside many. What's the problem? I have nothing but encouragement for foreigners who want to join our military. If they don't do it- who will?

My comment was actually a barb at those who like to heap insult and abuse on foreigners and women in the military. Think about it. The reason any foreigner or woman is in the military in the first place is because a red blooded American male was absent at the recruiter's office when that job came open.

[Bob]

You originally said:

'American freedom- defended by foreigners'

Then you say:

I have nothing against foreigners.

Your original post sure sounds like you do.

[jla]

Just a pleasant story reminding us what we really are all about.
The picture of the young sailor with his daughter is especially nice.

[El Gato]

. I've always admired the Philipinos servering in our Armed Forces. There was one in basic training with me, whom I'm sure is a productive American by now.

There was one whose father got US citizenship by serving in the military, IIRC, who was in my flight at AF ROTC field training. He's a probably a retired Colonel by now. (and then again maybe not) (If you're out there somewhere Geronimo T. FReep mail me.) There were the sterotypical Philipino mess boys, with very poor English skills, in the Navy as late as 1974, when I visited a Navy base as a USAF officer. OTOH, my daughters' (former they are grown now) pediatrician is a Philipina, and a very competent lady she is.

[gnarledmaw]

German Legions, Ceasar?

[Prodigal Son]

Aye, but my later post cleared that up- or?

Half my family are foreigners. Would it make any sense for me to hate foreigners when half my family are foreigners and I've lived in foreign countries for the past 13 years? I have no plans to return to the States for at least 3 or 4 decades.

Over the years in the Army, I served alongside many, many foreigners. If you can dig back deep enough in Free Republics archives on this matter, you can find many threads where I have defended foreigners in the military and I will continue to do so. In the last platoon I served in we had one soldier from Ireland, one from Mexico, one from Jamaica and one from Canada. Good soldiers, one and all. The Irish lad was my best friend.

Me- problems with foreigners? Quite the contrary. Most people here (if they accuse me of anything) accuse me of being overly sympathetic to foreigners. It's sort of a novel accusation for me to be accused of disliking foreigners...

But at the end of the day, my barb towards those who hate foreigners stands. If enough Americans would join the military, no foreigners would need to join. If you see a foreigner in the military it's because there's an American out there who wouldn't stand up to defend his nation. Same with those that complain about females in the military. For every woman in uniform there's a male in civvies who couldn't be bothered to join. I really enjoy throwing that barb out there as well because there's not much to be said against it and I know it irritates the chauvinists and xenophobes.

Questions?

[Tench_Coxe]

One of the other problems that the Roman empire had in its decline and eventual fall was the use of mercenaries to do its fighting.

[Bob]

Aye, but my later post cleared that up- or?

Yep, sure did.

[Mr.Clark]

Those mercenaries never enjoyed the full rights of Roman citizens. They never had anything to fight for, besides money.