Courtesy Photo | Staff Sergeant Edgar Ortiz was born in San Luis Potos, Mexico; he and his family moved...... read more read more
By 1st Lt. Patrick Franklin
555th Engineer Brigade
BAGHDAD - Throughout the history of America's armed forces, non-citizens have played a critical role in fighting and winning the nations wars.
During the American Revolution there such soldiers as Marquis de Lafayette, a French officer, and Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish engineer officer, both of whom led American-Colonial forces to victory over the British army. Later in history, during the American Civil War, nearly twenty percent of the Union soldiers were immigrants, again demonstrating the willingness of immigrants to fight and die for a country that they love. During both world wars, immigrants that were seeking to attain citizenship were given immediate priority while they served overseas. During World War I and II 143,000 service members were granted citizenship while serving in America's armed forces. During the Korean War, 31,000 more service members became eligible for attaining citizenship by fighting in the war.
Even today during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, service members fighting in America's armed forces are eligible for this expedited citizenship. Since 2004, nearly 5,000 service members have received their citizenship overseas in "mass-citizenship" ceremonies held throughout the country. The 570th Sapper Company (FIDO), 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade currently has four soldiers who participated in a recent citizenship ceremony in Baghdad. Staff Sergeant Edgar Ortiz, Sergeant Philipp Kovac, Specialist Reysol Esteban, and Specialist Jose' Apolaya have been serving their country for almost nine months already as part of a fifteen month deployment conducting route clearance operations on a daily basis. These soldiers have answered the nation's call, and are anxious to attain the citizenship they deserve.
Staff Sergeant Edgar Ortiz was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico; he and his family moved to California when he was still an infant. Staff Sergeant Ortiz has spent the majority of his life living in the United States, and serves in the U.S. and serves in our Army but until recently was not a citizen. In only four years he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, demonstrating pride in his work and his desire to serve. He wanted his citizenship to help for career advancement, and to enable him to do jobs within the Army that he desires, such as a recruiter or Drill Sergeant.
Sergeant Philipp Kovac, born in Munich, Germany, came to the United States at the beginning of his high school career. He joined the Army shortly after graduating in 2004. He knew that without his citizenship he could not get a security clearance and is waiting on that until he submits his request to become a warrant officer. Sergeant Kovac often advises other non-citizen Soldiers to put in for their citizenship as soon as possible because it can do nothing but help.
Specialist Reysol Esteban, born in the Philippines, came to the States when he was just eight years old. After high school he worked for a couple years but wanted to do something more. He was looking for a career choice that he could later look upon with pride; he decided that the Army was the logical choice.
These soldiers of FIDO have now accomplished their goal of attaining American citizenship. In a ceremony on November 4th, 2008 in Baghdad they raised their right hand and became official members of the nation that they had all been already defending. These soldiers and soldiers like them have always been the cornerstone of America's armed forces.
| Date Taken: | 01.03.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.03.2009 03:50 |
| Story ID: | 28399 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 405 |
| Downloads: | 321 |
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