Photo By Lance Cpl. Mike Granahan | The 67 Marines, sailors, soldiers and service members’ spouses and children pose...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, Japan - South Africa, India, Russia and Vietnam were just a few of the countries represented by the 67 military members who became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Camp Foster Theater Sept. 9.
The Marines, sailors, soldiers and service members’ spouses and children hailed from more than 30 countries, and ages ranged from 15 to 45, said Staff Sgt. Lauren J. Durand, the quality assurance staff non-commissioned officer in charge for Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. Durand helped coordinate the ceremony.
One new citizen said the event gave new meaning to his military service.
“It felt pretty amazing finally becoming a citizen, knowing that I’m now fighting for my official new home,” said Pfc. Mikel Schaub, an administrative specialist with IPAC. Schaub lived in Germany until he was 11 years old.
During the ceremony, those becoming naturalized citizens made their way on stage one by one to receive certificates and small American flags from Raymond F. Greene, the U.S. Consul General in Naha and guest speaker for the event.
Even several days after the ceremony, becoming a citizen is still sinking in, said Cpl. Gregory Lindor, a supply administration chief with III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.
Lindor, who lived in Haiti until he was 6, said this has definitely created more opportunities for him.
Just serving in the military opened a lot of doors, especially with the naturalization process, said Schaub.
Immigration laws mandate those seeking to become U.S. citizens must live in the U.S. for five years. But, for those serving in the armed forces, that time requirement decreases to one year, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization website.
“The military did really help out. Besides the fact that it was free, the process was real easy and smooth,” said Schaub.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2011 01:44 |
| Story ID: | 77053 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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