Courtesy Photo | (from left to right) The Sanchez family: Naelis, Jayden and Joel, pose with North...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – In the military, everyone has a story. Some join to see the world and experience adventure. Some serve to affirm their patriotism in our nation. Still others serve for all of the great benefits the military has to offer. For one soldier however, military service meant much more.
For Spc. Joel Sanchez, military service meant seeing his family again after three long years. Sanchez, originally from the Dominican Republic, is a member of the North Carolina National Guard’s D Company, 1-130th Aviation Battalion, based in Morrisville.
“I cannot believe this is finally happening, I cannot believe this is finally happening”, said Sanchez as he reunited with his family recently at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
For three years Sanchez attempted to bring his fiancé, Naelis, to the United States from the Dominican Republic after they were married there in 2011.
In August 2012, after filing all of the proper forms with the United States Immigration and Customs Service (USCIS) and after the couple went through the interview process at the Consulate in the Dominican Republic, Sanchez received a Notice of Intent to revoke his petition.
Sanchez was frustrated and feared he may never see his wife again due to this new turn of events. Fortunately for Sanchez, members from the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) office at the N.C. Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters, here, were there to help.
With the help of Laura Forrest, civilian paralegal, and Judge Advocate, Army Maj. Ruth Ann Cresenzo, of the NCNG SJA, the two women prepared and filed a 34 exhibit response to the Notice of Intent.
Forrest is a licensed North Carolina attorney working for the Legal Assistance Program co-sponsored by North Carolina Family Programs and the NGNC SJA.
“I was touched by this young man’s story and I felt I had to do something to help bring this family together,” said Forrest.
After nearly 30-days, Sanchez and his spouse received word from USCIS that the petition was granted and Naelis would be issued a visa to immigrate to the United States as a permanent resident.
Not soon after, the couple learned Naelis was pregnant with their son, Jayden, which made the coming reunion extra special. Jayden was born in October 2012, and Forrest and the NCNG SJA office assisted Sanchez in obtaining a Certificate of Live Birth Abroad for the baby so that he would be able to legally accompany his mother to the United States.
The day finally arrived in January of this year for the long awaited reunion and with the help of the NCNG SJA office and other local charities, Sanchez was waiting for his family to arrive at RDU.
“We’ve been trying to be together for three years; it’s taken us three years,” said Sanchez emphatically as he waited anxiously for his family to arrive.
As his wife and son came down the hallway into the terminal, Sanchez ran to greet them and he embraced his wife and child for the first time on Unites States soil. It was truly an emotional moment for all who were involved.
After a few minutes of reconciling and resting in the USO of North Carolina’s RDU Center, Forrest presented the happy family with a framed United States flag and some goodies for the baby, as they officially welcomed Naelis and Jayden to the United States.
“We are a family because of what Laura did,” said Sanchez. “We will never forget what Laura and the SJA Office has done for us.”
“This was truly one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had practicing law,” said Forrest. “It’s not every day that you get the chance to help someone and it made it more special to be part of their special day.”
Forrest said she was humbled by the entire experience and that she was thankful that she was able to assist a National Guardsman in getting the help he needed in his most desperate time.
Thanks to Forrest and the SJA staff’s diligent efforts, the Sanchez family is happy and healthy and living in Wilmington, together forever.
EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: For any questions, please contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at (919) 664-6242. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil/. To become a Facebook fan of the NCNG, please visit www.facebook.com/NCnationalguard or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NCnationalguard. To view additional pictures from this and other events, visit www.flickr.com/photos/ncngpao.
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2013 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 102163 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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