Photo By Sgt. John Ortiz | Sacramento, Calif., native Shavneel Nand, poses with Maj. Gen. Charles Anderson, the...... read more read more
By Spc. John D. Ortiz
4th Sustainment Brigade
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – A Sacramento, Calif., native Shavneel Nand, a private first class in the Army became a United States citizen Aug. 3, 2008, at a naturalization ceremony held here.
Nand, a human resource specialist with the 49th Adjutant General Company based out of Sacramento, Calif, is originally from the Fiji Islands and is currently serving his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Like the rest of the service members, Nand was inspired to become a citizen of the country he pledged to protect when he enlisted in the service.
"It's a great honor to now be a U.S. citizen" said Nand.
Applicants applying for citizenship of the United States would have to wait at least five years, but as a member of a military service serving the United States, Nand was eligible to apply as soon as his enlistment began.
"The process was fast, I filled out my personal profile and submitted my application through the military, after four months, I am now an American," he said.
During the ceremony, Nand promised to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, as a member of the military; this promise is not far from the oath he took as a recruit when he enlisted in the California National Guard.
"My family is very proud of this moment for me," he said, "25 years from now, when I tell my children about this occasion, I'm going to say there are many paths in life; however there are only a few which actually make you happy, I took the right one."
21 service members from 11 different countries representing the United States Army and Navy participated in the naturalization ceremony.
"We are here today to celebrate the induction of new citizens to the United States of America," said Maj. Gen. Charles Anderson, Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Central.
"Since 9/11, more than 36-thousand members of the Armed Forces have become U.S citizens, today you add to the great legacy of the immigrants who have come before you," he said.
"It is an honor for me to share this very special day with you, citizenship is one of the most coveted gifts that the U.S. government can bestow," said Anderson. "I know you are grateful for the opportunities that you have been given, you have earned the privilege of American Citizenship."
"With every new citizen who is woven in our national tapestry, our cultural fabric is enriched and our diversity is strengthened, securing America's promise as a nation of immigrants," he said. "Today we welcome you, as the newest members of the American family."
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2008 14:12 |
| Story ID: | 23273 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 184 |
| Downloads: | 116 |
This work, Local Resident Becomes U.S. Citizen While Deployed, by SGT John Ortiz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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