Posted on 03/28/2008 3:27:03 PM PDT by nuconvert
Soldiers become American citizens in Africa
DJIBOUTI (March 16, 2008) — Seven Soldiers supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa mission became U.S. citizens during a Military Naturalization Ceremony at the U.S. Embassy March 13.
After enlisting in the Army and serving the United States, Four Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry (Light), Delta Company, and three Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Delta Company, raised their right hands and said the Oath of Allegiance.
During the ceremony, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington, U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti and keynote speaker, addressed the candidates reminding them about the oath they took to protect and defend the United States and the Constitution when enlisting in the Army, and explained that the Oath of Allegiance was reaffirming what the Soldiers had already sworn to do.
“You all have already fought for our freedom,” said Symington. “No other American has earned the right to our citizenship like you have done. You have already risked your lives, your liberty and pledged your honor to that same cause, and few men and women have done that since as the terms of their citizenship. You are special for that reason.”
Prior to the oath, Linda Dougherty, immigration officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, gave a little background on naturalization.
“Each candidate for naturalization has a unique story of his life and efforts to become an American - a privilege many of us view nothing more than a birth right,” said Dougherty. “Although all non-military candidates for naturalization must be interviewed and take the oath of citizenship in the United States, since Oct. 1, 2004, Active Duty military have been eligible to be oathed worldwide. I attended the first ceremony at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and the first here in Djibouti in September of 2006.
“At each ceremony, the military has been thankful for our willingness to go where they are based, but we consider it an honor to serve those who have chosen to serve a country they could not yet call their own,” she said. “Before, you were candidates from five countries who upon taking the oath, will become citizens of one.”
Dougherty then presented the seven candidates from Micronesia, Canada, Kenya, Philippines and Palau for naturalization.
Once the Soldiers recited the Oath of Allegiance, Army Spc. Markus N. Manabat, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry (Light), Delta Company machine gunner, led the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as an American citizen.
“It’s a special day for us,” said Manabat, a Mangialo, Guam, native who is a part of the Guam National Guard. “There’s no feeling like it. It’s overwhelming – a dream come true. Everyone wants to become a U.S. citizen.”
The vast feelings of becoming a citizen was also a similar feeling for Army Spc. Peter P. Irungu, 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Delta Company, also known as the Old Guard, supply specialist.
“It’s hard to describe what I’m feeling,” he said. “Now being a citizen, on a professional level, I can advance being a ranger.”
Irungu joined the military in 2004, after emigrating from Nairobi, Kenya.
“I felt like I owed something to the country, and I should pay back,” said Irungu. “I feel very privileged to be at this point. It’s a pretty big milestone.”
Becoming an American citizen is a unique experience, but for the Nariobi native, being deployed to Africa and going through the naturalization process was quite an experience.
“There’s a special connection serving here,” said Irungu. “The last year of my military service I have spent in my homeland. It’s been an honor and a privilege to be able to contribute in an effective way.”
Some American’s may take the opportunities available to them for granted, but for this new citizen, he is well aware of the benefits that can be gained by being a United States citizen.
“The thing about the American culture is that there are a lot of opportunities,” he said. “It’s unlimited on what you can achieve. It’s being plugged into huge capabilities. You’re able to advance yourself in so many different ways. In other countries, it’s very difficult to advance yourself. Going to school is pretty expensive. When it comes to employment, there are all kinds of jobs; it’s just phenomenal.”
WTF are you talking about? Where in either of my posts do I show hate for anyone? Im going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you didnt mean to reply to me. Read my posts again and youll see Im in favor of immigrant soldiers.
I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I was copying you on my post to BabaOReally because I agreed with your opinion and wanted to support it.
Thank you for the clarification. I was scratching my head head there for a minute.
Pax
“...The Irish fought the Civil War on the Northern side,...”
And for that matter quite a few Irish fought on the Southern side. A large number of Irish immigrated into New Orleans in the 1840s and 1850s. Many worked on the docks. From there they spread up the Mississippi and its tributaries.
I welcome these new Americans and hope that they are treated better than the Irish born American veterans were treated during the several decades after the War between the States had ended.
The Irish who fought for the south often went to Mexico, having no rights as an American to restore. They often sang round the camp fires “Green Grow the Lilies”. They became known as Gringos.
I have also heard this explanation of the term “Gringo”. A few times when Hispanic folks referred to me (an American with Irish born ancestors) as an “Anglo”. I corrected them and said “Gringo, not Anglo”. They did not get it at all.
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