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SHIMIZU, Japan (May 30 2008) - The amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) steams within sight of Mt. Fuji on its final stop to Shimizu, ending a six-week Spring Swing tour. Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heidi McCormick

5/28/2008 - COBRA PASSING - A Marine AH-1A Super Cobra fast-attack helicopter passes by the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa during sunset over the Pacific Ocean, May 21, 2008. The USS Tarawa is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker

PERSIAN GULF (May 29, 2008) - Sailors participate in an emergency barricade drill aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis

Prepping for Battle - May 30, 2008 - An Apache helicopter provides air support for paratroopers during a joint readiness training exercise on Fort Bragg, N.C., May 2008. The Soldiers are from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor

5/28/2008 - APACHE FLY OVER - President George W. Bush and Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, watch as AH-64 Apache gun-ships assigned to the 82nd's Combat Aviation Brigade fly over their heads, during the pass and review at Pike Field on Fort Bragg, N.C., May 22, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Micah E. Clare

5/27/2008 - CHERTOFF MEETS CITIZENS - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff shakes the hand of a soldier May 26, 2008, congratulating him on his new U.S. citizenship at a ceremony on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Forty-four soldiers and Marines were granted citizenship at a naturalization ceremony because of their military service. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Scott Davis

Troops in Afghanistan Take Citizenship Oath

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 27, 2008 – The poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty beckons “Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free,” but on this Memorial Day, quite the opposite was true, as 44 members of the U.S. military marched forward to become America’s newest citizens.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff congratulates a soldier May 26, 2008, on his new U.S. citizenship at a ceremony on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Forty-four soldiers and Marines became citizens at a naturalization ceremony.

In the presence of the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, U.S. Immigration Service Acting Director Jonathan Scharfen and Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 101, 44 servicemembers from 21 countries swore oaths of allegiance and became U.S. citizens.

“On behalf of President Bush and a grateful nation, I say, ‘Welcome,’” Chertoff said to the new American citizens.

The ceremony brought the number of military men and women who have gained citizenship while deployed to Afghanistan since beginning the war on terror to 312, said Stacy K. Strong, deputy district director of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. According to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service fact sheet, more than 39,000 servicemembers have become U.S. citizens since the beginning of the war.

“There is no honor greater than presiding over an oath ceremony, and there is no better place to do it than here,” Chertoff said. “You have all earned your citizenship through your service. Starting today, America is as much your country as it is mine.”

Under an executive order, legal permanent residents actively serving in the U.S. military and honorably discharged legal permanent residents who were on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible to apply for naturalization.

“This feels really great -- closure to the ‘history’ chapter in my life and the beginning of my future,” said Army Pvt. Mark Paguio, a Philippine native who led the other servicemembers in their recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. “Becoming a U.S. citizen has opened many doors,” he said.

For the 44 servicemembers who are serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or the International Security Assistance Force, the oath was an affirmation of what they have worked so hard to secure.

“This day means everything to me,” said Marine Lance Cpl. Artem Starovoyt, a Ukraine native who now resides in Philadelphia. “I have been out on the front lines doing what I can for my nation, and now I can officially call America home.”

The servicemembers who took the citizenship oath are from Jamaica, Colombia, the Philippines, Peru, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Australia, Poland, Ghana, Iran, Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Cuba, Nigeria, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Ukraine.

This week - Robot wrecks rockets - Staff Sgt. Jason Snow sends a Pacbot to an incident site in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan while local authorities watch. Two 107 mm rockets on timer were found aimed at a coalition forward operating base and then destroyed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Demetrius Lester)

This week - Fill it up! - An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft moves into position for fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

The first wave of Stryker soldiers returned to families Thursday at Fort Lewis, with many more reunions due over the next few weeks as the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division closes its grueling combat tour of nearly 15 months in Iraq. Elizabeth Gipe points toward her husband, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Gipe, as their children Sara, 2, and Vicktoria, 9, await a reunion.

Curtis Mayfield ~~ Move On Up

Jill Scott ~~ A Long Walk

Paul Hardcastle ~~ Still Thinking

Doobie Brothers ~~ Listen To The Music

Boney James ~~ Lights Down Low

Chaka Khan ~~ Wha Cha Gonna Do For Me

Paul Hardcastle ~~ Freefall

Boney James ~~ All Night Long