Servicemembers become citizens during downrange ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth | Spc. Shane Eves receives a certificate of citizenship at a swearing in ceremony at Logistical Support Area Anaconda May 12.  

05.15.2006

Courtesy Story

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By Spc. Mary E. Ferguson
3rd COSCOM Public Affairs

While most servicemembers and civilians throughout Iraq spent May 12 focused on their daily operations, 123 of the approximately 45,000 non-U.S. citizens who join them in defending our country made that day memorable by officially completing a monumental mission of patriotic proportion, reminding all those who may have forgotten â?¦ being an "American" is an immeasurable privilege.

One hundred and twenty three servicemembers raised their right hands and took an oath of allegiance to the values embodied in the flag they proudly bear on that same shoulder as they earned their U.S. citizenship during a May 12 ceremony in the Sustainer Theater on Logistical Support Area Anaconda, Balad, Iraq.

The ceremony was the second of its kind held on LSA Anaconda and the fifth hosted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for servicemembers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A video presentation filled with inspirational quotes and photographs opened the ceremony, inviting the capacity-sized crowd to join in an event that would provide something similar, yet incredibly different for each new citizen.

Following a welcome by Col. Mark W. Hampton, the 35th Area Support Group commander, Spc. Elisha B. Hormon of the 563rd Aviation Battalion's Company B, continued to contribute to the patriotic atmosphere as she sang the National Anthem.

Heads then bowed as Cpt. Michael T. Williams, the 181st Transportation Battalion Chaplain, offered the ceremony's invocation.

Eyes rose to keynote speaker Col. Jannett Jackson, the 40th Corps Support Group commander, as she delivered words of praise, encouragement and recognition to the servicemembers, while also sharing stories of the dedication, commitment and drive that warranted their citizenship candidacy.

Jackson highlighted the diversity among the ceremony's subjects, reflecting the differences embraced by the freedom associated with being "American".

"Of the 123 servicemembers standing before you, 72 percent are male and 28 percent are female," Jackson explained. "Their ages range from 18 to 57, with more than 50 percent between the ages of 18 and 26. They represent 52 countries â?¦ from South America to Europe â?¦ to the Middle East â?¦and speak 18 different languages."

Each of them has a story behind why they are standing here today, ranging from job opportunities and future potential, to family interests and personal pride, she added.

"I was born in Pakistan," said Sgt. Sajid Malik of the 322nd Maintenance Company. "I came to the United States in 1998 solely for education purposes, and I never thought that I would make the United States my home, but September 11 changed that. I'm a Muslim â?¦ I wanted to bring some change. I wanted to prove that not every Muslim is a terrorist, so I changed my college major to criminal justice and joined the military."

"It [citizenship] means a lot," Malik explained just moments after becoming a U.S. citizen. "I worked so hard for so many years, and then finally I joined my comrades in arms, which allowed me this opportunity, and now I'll be able to help my younger sister. She wants to be a doctor, and now I can help her come to the U.S."

Similar to Malik, many of the candidates were fueled by the multiple benefits involved in gaining U.S. citizenship.

"I wanted to go to school, and the fees for school were incredibly different for people who were citizens," said Spc. Shaneil Thomas of the 610th Quartermaster Company. "A friend mentioned the military being a way toward becoming a citizen and going to school, so I joined."

Originally from Dominica, West Indies, Thomas was one of the 123 to earn her citizenship during the ceremony.

Before Malik and Thomas joined their fellow servicemembers in taking the oath of allegiance, Anne Corsano, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Rome District deputy director, and Walter Haith of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services congratulated the candidates and shared the process they all went through to earn their citizenship.

"Each candidate has been examined by an immigration officer and has been found to be of good moral character and attached to the principles of the United States," Haith said. "Each has been found to be eligible in every respect for U.S. citizenship."

The servicemembers then took the oath of allegiance and surrounded by a concert of praise and celebration from the audience, they filed onto the stage, each receiving a certificate from Corsano and Jackson and a flag from Hampton and Command Sgt. Maj. Gary D. Blackorby, the 35th ASG command sergeant major.

"It [becoming a citizen] was an amazing feeling," said Gabriela Figueroa Galindo, a 40th Corps Support Group Soldier, originally from Mexico. "Even though my family wasn't here to see it, my other family of Soldiers from my unit was here, cheering for me."

With their certificates and flags in hand, the newest U.S. citizens viewed a video message of congratulations from President George W. Bush, and Williams offered a benediction.

Spc. Stacy Ann Smith, a Jamaican born Soldier from the 101st Soldier Support Battalion, and Spc. Derek Byrne, a 49th Military Police Battalion Soldier from the United Kingdom, themselves new citizens, helped bring the ceremony to a close. Smith led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Byrne spearheaded a thunderous recitation of The Soldier's Creed.

Despite the countless times that each servicemember had placed their hand over their heart or stood at attention to recite the creed of their profession, this time was a first. This pledge and creed marked their inaugural as a citizen of the country they have, and will continue to, selflessly sacrifice for and defend.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2006
• Date Posted: 05.15.2006 11:23
• Story ID: 6378