Photo By Staff Sgt. Ramon Garcia | U.S. service members with Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III Marine...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Forty-one U.S. service members, spouses, and children walked across the stage of the Camp Foster Theater, Jan. 30, 2019, proudly receiving their U.S. citizenship certificates to the exuberant cheers of their friends and family. The individuals receiving their certificate put in years of hard work and dedication to become U.S. citizens.
During the ceremony, families gathered to support their loved ones as they gave the oath of allegiance to the United States of America, declaring themselves as United States Citizens. One of the new citizens, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Kindo Go, a mass communicator with Communication Strategy and Operations Company, III Marine Information Group and a local of Manila, Philippines, followed in his father’s footsteps by gaining his citizenship.
At two years old, Go, with his family, made the trip from the Philippines to the states. Go’s father was the first to earn his U.S. citizenship. Now that Go has earned his citizenship, two-thirds of his family has achieved this goal.
“My family came to America in order to live a better life. My dad was the first one to receive his citizenship,” said Go. “Soon, I want to help my mom earn her citizenship, that way we can all live the American dream.”
Earning your U.S. citizenship is not easy, but it is a great opportunity. Other countries do not have the same freedoms that America does, according to Go.
“It’s definitely a hard road to get naturalized, but it’s definitely worth it,” said Go. “The opportunity is there. It’s what America is all about, opportunity. You just have to go and seize it.”
Tatsiana Bylund, a local of Pinsk, Belarus, was also naturalized in the ceremony. Bylund started her naturalization process by obtaining her green card. Then, following four years of hard work and dedication, came to an end, when she received her naturalization certificate and walked across the stage as a proud U.S. citizen.
“I really admire the United States in many ways," said Bylund. "I think the American dream is true. There are so many beautiful things that the U.S. provides and I am proud to become part of it.”
Bylund was excited to receive her certificate with her biggest supporters by her side. Her kids were with her every step of the way; from when she walked in, a Belarusian, until she walked out an American.
“I’m married to a military member and my children were born in America,” said Bylund. “My heart belongs to America now.”
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2019 20:23 |
| Story ID: | 309943 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 506 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. service members, spouses, and children gain U.S. citizenship, by SSgt Ramon Garcia, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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