Photo By Capt. Monika Comeaux | Spc. Ana Flores (right), food service specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Eighty-three servicemembers from 40 different countries received their citizenship during a naturalization ceremony May 15 at the Victory Chapel here.
This particular ceremony was the sixth held for servicemembers deployed to Iraq.
Participants flew in from all over Iraq for the event, including eight Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade.
One such Soldier is Spc. Edgar Estrada-Perez, a unit supply clerk with the California National Guard's 756th Transportation Company, based out of Van Nuys, Calif., now serving at Camp Taji, Iraq. He said he is very happy that he was able to receive his citizenship with the help of the Army in a well-orchestrated ceremony, with lots of support from other service members, who crowded the room. Some supporters had to stand outside on the chapel stairs due to the large turnout.
Getting his citizenship while deployed made the event very special for Estrada-Perez.
"The ceremony was great, especially being in Iraq. How many people can say that they got their citizenship in Iraq, serving their country?" Estrada-Perez asked with a broad smile. He said he wishes his mom and his best friend were able to attend and see him take the oath.
Spc. Ana Flores feels the same way. "It is good to have the opportunity to get my citizenship faster because I am in the Army," she said. The food service specialist from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sust. Bde., 4th Infantry Division, joined the Army because she always wanted to be a Soldier. "I love the service," she said.
Flores moved to the Unites States with her family when she was 14, so she remembers life in El Salvador, her country of origin, very well.
"I feel so lucky to be able to get my citizenship. I am lucky to be living in the United States instead of back home. I remember when I was little, I remember what I saw. It was hard," she said.
Better opportunities brought the family of Estrada-Perez to the United States as well. They are originally from Mexico. He wanted to become a citizen to improve his life, to open up new windows of opportunity and most important of all, to bring honor to his family.
"They did the first step to come to the United States, so it was only natural to take the next step and become a citizen," said Estrada-Perez.
Although the road to the becoming a citizen was not the smoothest for all participants, they are all very happy to call themselves citizens of the United States.
"It was a mission trying to get a hold of everybody, trying to e-mail everybody and get everything settled," said Pfc. Nadia Miranda, small arms and artillery repairman, 503rd Maintenance Company, currently deployed to Logistical Base Seitz. She started her paperwork at their home station in Fort Bragg, N.C., in November.
A proud citizen today, Miranda urges non-citizen Soldiers to take advantage of the opportunity of getting their citizenships faster, and at no cost, with the help of the Army.
"Take advantage of what the military offers you. It is free, it is a good benefit. If you are serving the country, why not become a citizen?" said Flores.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2006 10:49 |
| Story ID: | 6637 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 46 |
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