Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Houston | Staff Sgt. Steven Martinez, a Soldier serving in Regional Command (South), originally...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Service members who grew up in Brazil, China, Germany, Liberia, Mexico and Micronesia stood side by side June 6 on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, took the Oath of Allegiance and became citizens of the country they serve.
Five Soldiers and two Marines received their U.S. citizenship in a naturalization ceremony while deployed to southern Afghanistan.
“Today we will honor seven brave and selfless men and women who have completed the necessary prerequisites to take the final steps today in becoming citizens of the United States of America,” said Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Regional Command (South), in his opening remarks.
Ambassador Edward M. Alford, senior Foreign Service minister counselor, talked to the candidates about the significance of their becoming citizens prior to taking the oath.
“What is an American; what does this mean?” Alford asked. “Teddy Roosevelt said, ‘Americanism is a question of principle, of purpose, of idealism, or character; it is not a matter of birthplace or creed or line of descent.’ We are held together by common ideals and common philosophy, and this philosophy started many years ago.”
Alford continued to explain the development of the United States from the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War, women’s rights, and to the civil rights movement in the 1950s and ‘60s and Martin Luther King’s influence in that. He then explained the uniqueness of the service members gaining their citizenship through service to their adopted country.
“I think that those of you serving in the military understand these obligations better than most,” Alford explained. “You have already gone into harm’s way for our country.”
LaCamera paralleled Alford’s sentiment.
“All of these Soldiers have served in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps not only stateside, but on numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, all prior to taking the oath of becoming citizens of the United States.”
LaCamera praised the candidates for their service and stated they were the embodiment of a quote made by Andrew Jackson:
“‘Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense, and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.’”
Alford closed with advice and commentary to ensure the candidates’ patriotism was perpetuated.
“If you have children, teach them what it means to be a citizen of this great country of ours. Teach them the value you have learned,” Alford said. “In conclusion, I have one more quote from Calvin Coolidge: ‘Character is the only secure foundation of the state.’.”
With speeches concluded, officials from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services from field offices in New Delhi and Seoul, South Korea, had the candidates raise their right arms and swear the Oath of Allegiance in unison. They were then given their certificates of citizenship.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2014 13:24 |
| Story ID: | 132471 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 286 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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