Posthumous citizenship granted for 2 fallen Marines

AP ^ | 4/2/03

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Actually, as a %age of those in the general population, they're underrepresented in the military."

Source please...

[Ditto]

So even the military doesn't require enlistees to be American citizens?

It never did.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Thank you for sharing an inspiring story.

[MayflowerMadam]

"If anyone deserves citizenship, it is someone who is willing to fight, and unfortunately sometimes, die, for this country!"

True! And in that vein, any American citizen fighting against this country in word or deed should die for treason.

[Black Agnes]

USA Today article from last week. Hispanics represent about 9% in the military.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Hispanics on the Rise as Largest U.S. Ethnicity

 

 By Staff Sgt. Alicia K. Borlik
 
American Forces Press Service


 WASHINGTON -- Hispanics account for almost 11 percent of the 
 American population, numbering near 30 million, according to the 
 U.S. Census Bureau. And their numbers are expected to triple by 
 the middle of the next century, accounting for nearly a quarter 
 of America's population.
 
 The fastest growing ethnic group in America is also increasing 
 its presence in the military. Since 1987, the percentage of 
 Hispanics in uniform has increased more than any other group, up 
 3 percent to almost 100,000 in strength, according to statistics 
 from the Defense Manpower Data Center in Monterey, Calif.
 
 The Army shows the largest Hispanic increase in the past 10 
 years. Despite the drawdown, the number of Hispanic soldiers 
 increased 10 percent even as the ranks of white and black 
 soldiers decreased about 40 percent each. Hispanic soldiers 
 currently account for nearly 7 percent of the Army.
 
 Hispanic representation in the Marine Corps nearly doubled 
 during the past 10 years to about 11 percent. The Navy and Air 
 Force have 6 percent to 8 percent Hispanic service members.
 
 In July, at the DoD Equal Opportunity Conference in Birmingham, 
 Ala., Deputy Defense Secretary John J. Hamre recognized the 
 importance of minorities to the success of an increasingly 
 diverse U.S. military.
 
 "The proportion of Hispanics in the services has grown, but they 
 are still underrepresented," Hamre said. "Minorities in general 
 are still underrepresented in the officer corps. While 
 minorities represent one in five enlisted men and women, they 
 represent only one out of 10 officers." He described the 
 president's desire to have a government that "looks like 
 America."
 
 "The Department of Defense wants to meet that goal and go one 
 better," Hamre said. "Our goal is to have an all-volunteer force 
 that has all the diversity of America, but is uniform in its 
 excellence. Whether someone is white, black, brown, yellow, 
 male, or female is not the issue. We want to find and keep the 
 best minds, talent and leaders available." 
 
 DoD's theme for the 1998 Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – 
 Oct. 15) is "Hispanic Women in Leadership." 
 

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep1998/n09151998_9809154.html

[MineralMan]

"We need to pull some of the illegals out of our prison system and hand 'em a gun."

They're not eligible to serve. For a non-citizen to serve in the military, they must be in the country legally. Also, in general, any felony conviction prevents you from joining our military services.

These young men who fought and died are now citizens. Non-citizens who serve in the military are granted faster naturalization than those who do not serve. I think that's as it should be.

We don't need criminals and illegal aliens in our military, thanks.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"The Army shows the largest Hispanic increase in the past 10 years. Despite the drawdown, the number of Hispanic soldiers increased 10 percent even as the ranks of white and black soldiers decreased about 40 percent each. Hispanic soldiers currently account for nearly 7 percent of the Army."

What's with the decrease?

[Black Agnes]

You mean my typing 9% or the 7% from your quote?

[MineralMan]

"DoD's theme for the 1998 Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 –
Oct. 15) is "Hispanic Women in Leadership."
"

Your info is a little out of date. As of 2000, 14% of Marines were hispanic. And that's three years ago, at that. I suspect the numbers are higher today.

[NativeSon]

I've noted, with interest, that a large number of these fighting men and women seem to have Hispanic last names. God bless all of them.

American Indians have the highest per capita service record of any group (my family included).

Hispanics are mostly American Indians. Many Hispanics are Christian but they are from a warrior culture that valued bravery, honor and sacrifice in battle.

The Military is great place to find these things.

[VOA]

"The examiner did not ask me a single question. He just looked at me, up and down a
couple of times, and said, 'You passed.'".

Now there's a government official...who's no fool.

[hchutch]

These folks have given their lives in the ultimate show of devotion to a country they adopted.

Quite frankly, I believe these people are far better Americans than the likes of Ramsey Clark could ever hope to be.

[Luis Gonzalez]

No, I mean the 40% drop in participation from the rest.

[MineralMan]

Here's an excellent page, listing hispanic Medal of Honor winners, beginning with the Civil War.

http://www.homeofheroes.com/e-books/mohE_hispanic/

[Black Agnes]

Actually, Hispanics as a group aren't mostly Indian. Cubans are mainly European/African descent, ditto Puerto Ricans and Venezuelans and Colombians and several other SA countries. Mexicans however are primarily NA. Here I must also disagree with you. Not all NA cultures were 'warrior' cultures. One doesn't think of the Ojibwa in the same way one thinks of the Comanche. While the military has named a 'fighting' helicopter the Apache, the Cherokee have an...SUV.

[Black Agnes]

Jobs market. It boomed in the 90's with the tech bubble.

[wtc911]

These true men understood America and the sacrifices all honest Americans, whether off the Mayflower or just here are willing to make.

They deserve an honored place among us.

On the other hand there are too many people here from other lands who want what we have to offer, what we have made, but who can't wait to run back to their distant corner of the globe.

[af_vet_rr]

What's with the decrease?

tech boom or Clinton gutting the military, take your pick, probably a combo of the two.

[hchutch]

I think that Gutierrez didn't exactly cross all the Ts and dot all the Is when he came into this country as an orphan at age 14.

Despite that, he proved himself to be a fine Marine, and quite frankly, I believe that the decision made by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services was the right one in this case. He gave the ultimate mesaure of devotion to this country - and quite frankly, on the battlefield, his immigration status didn't change the fact that he was there while others born here have deserted (there was a reservist in the news just today who had).