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By Howard Ketter
20th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Sixteen service members pledged their allegiance to their new country at the Zone 1 Chapel at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 6, 2008.
U.S. Army Central headquarters staff and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services, held a military naturalization ceremony, making service members who joined the U.S. military from 14 different countries official citizens of United States of America.
The ceremony began with an invocation by Lt. Col. Steven Michalke, deputy chaplain, USARCENT, and the posting of the colors by the Area Support Group – Kuwait color guard.
Following the posting of the colors, the national anthem was sung by Staff Sgt. Yvonne Nelson, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, and a video presentation of Faces of America, a short video about immigration to America, was played.
Brig. Gen. Gary Bunch, deputy commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, who is also a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
"I can't assure it, but I doubt my prospects growing up in Germany would have been completing college and being a senior leader in the German Army," said Bunch.
Bunch told the audience about how he and his twin sister were adopted from an orphanage in Manheim, Germany and were given American citizenship in 1957 through the naturalization process.
"Becoming an American citizen allowed me to achieve a life I envisioned and accomplish all the goals I have set for myself," said Bunch.
"I'm also a naturalized citizen, as well as the son of naturalized citizens and the cousin of many naturalized citizens," said Sonny Busa, consular chief of section, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait.
Busa, a former U.S. Army Ranger, the guest speaker for the ceremony, told the new citizens that being an American is more than just being part of a country.
"As Americans you've got to do the right thing, because that's what Americans do," said Busa, after sharing a story with the audience about how he and a group of U.S. Marines rescued three Americans from a conflict in Ethiopia.
The candidates then stood and were introduced to the audience. They were ordered to raise their right hand and recite the oath of allegiance, denouncing their citizenship to their individual native countries.
After officially becoming U.S. citizens, the 16 candidates marched onto the stage one at a time, introduced themselves and annoucment their former country. They received certificates of citizenship and shook hands with the official party while many in the audience took photos and cheered for their fellow Americans.
"It feels good being a new American citizen," said Sgt. Arturas Samoilovas, A Company, 237th Brigade Support Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Ohio National Guard.
Somoilovas, who was born in Lithuania, said that he joined the U.S. Army because he liked the benefits and opportunities, that were provided to him.
"I also want to improve my language skills [speaking English]," added Somoilovas.
The ceremony closed with a video message from President George W. Bush and the pledge of allegiance led by Pfc. Hel Milo, 151st Transportation detachment, who is from Vietnam.
"I was kind of nervous at first, but it was really cool and I felt very proud to lead everyone in the pledge of allegiance," said Milo.
Once the colors were retired, proud service members celebrated our newest citizens' commitment to our nation.
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2008 03:31 |
| Story ID: | 26225 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 417 |
| Downloads: | 314 |
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