I don't understand this article in today's San Diego Union Tribune. Do you:
They're now citizens of the nation they defend
147 service members pledge allegiance
By James W. Crawley
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 21, 2002
They had already sworn an oath to defend America, but yesterday 147 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen also took an oath to become Americans.
In a mass naturalization ceremony aboard the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Constellation, the service members, born in 32 nations, raised right hands and pledged allegiance to their adopted home.
Immigration and Naturalization Service officials said the swearing-in – easily the largest such ceremony for the local military – was one of the largest in INS history.
The Philippines was the birthplace of 72 service members taking the oath, with Mexico the homeland of 19 others. Countries as far-flung as Micronesia, Romania, Sri Lanka and Togo also were represented at the ceremony, in which U.S. District Judge Judith Keep administered the oath.
Afterward, Marine Sgt. Joon Lee, 27, a native of South Korea, said he will feel a change when he is among colleagues at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.
"For me, inside me will be different," Lee said. "Now, I'll be equal to them."
The men and women had various reasons for becoming Americans. Many wanted to vote. Some saw it as a step toward becoming officers, and others, a means to bring family to the United States.
Staff Sgt. Mike Spencer, 30, of England, already has been deployed to the war zone aboard the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard.
"I wanted all the rights I can't have unless I'm a citizen," said the Marine helicopter mechanic.
For Spencer, citizenship closes a generational circle.
His grandfather was a U.S. serviceman in England during World War II who married a British woman. Spencer moved to the United States at age 12 and has lived here so long that his voice has nary a trace of an accent.
"I joined to protect this country, so it makes sense to become a citizen," he said.
A smiling Petty Officer 2nd Class Abou Kamara said becoming a citizen gives him a chance to become a naval officer, since U.S. citizenship is a requirement.
His wife, Vivian, who also is in the Navy, said yesterday was an important milestone for the Liberia native.
"He has goals that can now be accomplished," she said.
For Philippines native Christian Jomac, a petty officer 3rd class aboard the Constellation, becoming an American means he can get security clearance to handle "top secret" information and can bring family members over from his homeland.
And, he added, "it makes me more proud."
A three-year military service requirement was rescinded last month by President Bush for any noncitizen serving in the military since Sept. 11. The service members naturalized yesterday were processed before Bush's action.
Since the July 3 executive order, hundreds of local sailors and Marines have flooded military legal offices requesting information, said Vicki Alba, who runs the local Navy citizenship program. Recent applications should be processed by early next year, officials said.
Approximately 31,000 military personnel are not U.S. citizens.
Rear Adm. Jose Betancourt, the Navy's regional commander and a naturalized citizen himself, welcomed the new Americans and led their first recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance as citizens.
"The fact you decided to serve in the military speaks volumes to your decision to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," said Betancourt, who was born in Mexico.
James W. Crawley:
(619) 542-4559;
jim.crawley@uniontrib.com