Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Sgt. Andreas Buttner (right), a 34-year-old crew chief with Company C,...... read more read more
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Story by: U.S. Army Sgt. Amanda Jo Brown
KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – After months of research and dedication, U.S. Army Sgt. Andreas Buttner took the oath of citizenship with more than 100 other service members at the Combined Joint Task Force-10 naturalization ceremony at Kandahar Air Field Jan. 29.
Buttner, a 34-year-old crew chief in Company C, “Dustoff”, Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Falcon, began the process of obtaining his citizenship after arriving in theater the first week of September.
Originally from Fulda, Germany, he deployed to Afghanistan prepared with all of the paperwork he would need to begin his naturalization packet. Buttner was anxious about the process even though he had been extremely thorough.
“I was nervous and excited; nervous that I was missing any documents [and] excited that I was on track for citizenship,” he said.
Buttner mailed the completed packet back to the United States to begin the review process. At the same time, immigration services began his background check.
Four months after dropping his naturalization packet, Buttner and his escort, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Allan Mace of Sacramento, Calif., also from Company C, TF Phoenix, flew to Kandahar to finish the immigration process, which included completing an interview.
“The interview took about one and a half hours, and I was very nervous because the decision for citizenship approval or disapproval is made right then and there,” said Buttner. “Of course, the thought of missing any paperwork or supporting documents was on my mind.”
Prior to his interview, Buttner was required to study 100 questions for an exam that covered American history and government. He passed with flying colors.
Mace, who has known Butter for more than four years, said Buttner sacrificed and invested himself in the United States. “It is people like him who tell the world that with hard work, diligence, dedication and love for a nation that the United States continues to be a country of opportunity and compassion.”
Buttner recommends that soldiers looking to gaining U.S. citizenship take advantage of the support the military offers.
“I am extremely proud to be a citizen and to continue to fight alongside my fellow citizens for the stabilization of Afghanistan and to ensure the freedom and liberty of all back home,” said Buttner. “God bless the U.S.A.”
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2011 04:41 |
| Story ID: | 65807 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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