Biden, Odierno Preside Over Naturalization Ceremony in Iraq

American Forces Press Service ^ | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2009 – Vice President Joe Biden and Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, presided over a July 4 naturalization ceremony in which 237 servicemembers deployed to Iraq became American citizens.

U.S. servicemembers take the citizenship oath inside Al-Faw palace at Camp Victory, Iraq, July 4, 2009. White House photo by David Lienemann  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“You are the reason America is strong,” Biden told the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who hailed from 59 countries, including Iraq, during the ceremony in the rotunda of former dictator Saddam Hussein’s Al-Faw palace near here. “You are the source of our freedom – you and all who come before you.”

Biden said he could think of no greater show of commitment than to serve thousands of miles away from one’s adopted home, in harm’s way, before becoming a citizen. He noted the sacrifices the troops have made and will continue to make during their deployment.

“Here in Iraq, you have done your country, and this country, proud,” Biden told the group, citing progress, including the movement of U.S. combat troops from the cities before the June 30 deadline. “You know better than I that there is still a lot of hard work left to do,” Biden conceded, promising to ensure deployed troops have “every single thing” they need to carry the mission forward.

Biden said the nature of the mission will change as Iraqis take on increasing responsibility and the United States ultimately leaves Iraq. “Next summer, our combat troops will leave Iraq itself, and we will be on track to remove all U.S. forces from Iraq at the end of 2011,” he said.

Odierno praised the newest U.S. citizens for the role they have played in building Iraq’s future. Pointing to their diversity, he called them “an example to the Iraqis of a country that welcomes men and women from everywhere.”

Looking out over the group, Odierno said he’d be hard-pressed to describe them by the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, which begins, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.”

"To be honest, I'm not so sure that its legendary inscription is applicable to this group here today, because when I look at the men and women sitting out in front of me here, I'm having a hard time because I don't see them in terms of tired, poor or huddled,” he said.

“If I had to write a description of the soon-to-be citizens in this rotunda,” the general continued, “I would say, ‘Give me your brightest and your bravest. Give me your warriors and your heroes who will enhance our great nation and strive to keep her safe.’”

Biographies:
Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno

Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden addresses newly sworn-in U.S. citizens at Camp Victory, Iraq, Iraq, July 4, 2009. White House photo by David Lienemann    Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

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[pissant]

Poor Odierno. Having to put up with that hair-plugged moron.

[counterpunch]

Will Biden preside over 0bama’s naturalization ceremony?

[edcoil]

So now we are making Americans out of people that have never been here.

Great, just friggen great.

[awake-n-angry]

“So now we are making Americans out of people that have never been here.”
____________

I know that you are not complaining because we accepted as our countrymen, men and women who not only put on the uniform of armed forces, but did so when they were certain to face the hazards of warfare in ongoning combat. These are VOLUNTEERS who risked life and limb for a nation that many had never set foot in!!!!

[jveritas]

We should be very proud that these troops are now our fellow Citizens. They have put their lives on the line so they can protect our freedom and our way of life. These troops were Permanent Residents of the USA (Green Card holders) before becoming Citizens, they have been in the US for a very long time.

[don-o]

Dude. Why the hostility to our troops? I have nothing but respect for these people.

[edcoil]

Yea right, like the Vietnamese cities here. Soon we will be importing muslim “americans”.

Never trust an Arab.

[jveritas]

Those are US permanent residents that were living here, volunteered to fight for our freedom and our way of life and now became very proud US citizens.

[jveritas]

that=who

[m4629]

I have a lot of respect for these new US citizens. No doubt they have sacrificed a lot for all of us.

At the same time, I wished they would delay the process until after Obama has proven to be eligible to serve as their Commander-in-chief.

Very ironic situation here.