Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire | Soldiers with United States Forces – Iraq, including 12 members from the 2nd Advise...... read more read more
Subscribe
BAGHDAD— A dozen soldiers with 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center officially became citizens of the nation they are resolutely serving.
The ceremony included a speech to the newly-minted citizens by senior United States Forces – Iraq and United States Citizenship and Immigration Service leaders, as well as a taped speech by President Barack Obama, in which he praised the candidates for their service.
“From time to time we can look back and say, ‘you know, that day was a special day that changed my life,’” said Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general of United States Forces – Iraq. “I am certain that this will be one of those for each and every one of you.”
Austin emphasized the significance of the date of the ceremony, falling as it did on the Fourth of July.
“It is fitting that these 45 men and women who have been serving in uniform in defense of the United States of America should gain their citizenship on the anniversary of our independence,” said Austin.
The new citizens assigned to the Dagger Brigade hail from seven countries: Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Chile, Guyana, Spain, and Haiti.
“I came here, to the Seattle area, when I was 15 years old [for an exchange student program] and I really liked this country,” said Pvt. Nana Chihara, a motor transport operator with Company A, 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C and a Tokyo native. “My host father was serving in the Army at the time, so that’s how I got introduced to [the U.S. military].”
It has been a long road for many of the new citizens, who can now reap the benefits of citizenship, which for many includes a new pride in their work.
“It took a long while [to get citizenship],” said Pfc. Rene Mckinnon, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C and a Guyana native. “What it means to be an American to me is being able to be recognized for what I’m doing as I’m deployed.”
Immigrants have a long, proud history of service in the U.S. military. Even in the earliest days of the Revolutionary War, volunteers such as Friedrich von Steuben and Thaddeus Kosciuszko played a crucial role, Austin said.
“Ever since the United States declared its independence, immigrants have repeatedly served in its formations,” he said. “Our country has always honored these heroes.”
And for many at the ceremony, that honor came when they officially became U.S. citizens.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2011 10:10 |
| Story ID: | 73544 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Deployed ‘Dagger’ Brigade soldiers become US citizens on Independence Day, by SSG Daniel Stoutamire, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
