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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Historically, generations of
men and women, many of them foreign born, have been called
to duty for the United States military. As a service to
those immigrants in uniform, the U.S. government has given
citizenship to thousands of immigrants whom served
honorably. In northern Afghanistan, military members were
honored as their final dreams of becoming U.S. citizens came
true.
Forty-six service members took the Oath of
Allegiance, becoming U.S. citizens during a naturalization
ceremony held on Bagram Air Field, Sept. 28. Three were
Soldiers assigned to 129th Combat Sustainment Support
Battalion, Task Force Resolute, 7th Sustainment Brigade.
Service members, who participated in the naturalization ceremony on Sept. 28,
2011 at Bagram Air Field, recite the Oath of Allegiance given by Mr. Robert Daum, deputy district director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bangkok, Thailand. The oath must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become U.S. citizens.
Photo by Army Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez |
“Before I deployed to Afghanistan, one of my goals was to
apply for citizenship,” said Spc. Moises Gonzalez, a motor
transport operator with the 546th Transportation Company,
129th CSSB, who left Mexico at the age of 7. “My family and
squad leader kept me motivated to finish the process......I feel
proud to be an American citizen.”
The general process
to be an American citizen can take years to complete,
however, if an immigrant joined the U.S. military, they can
then apply for an expedited citizenship. Special exception
is given to those soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines
currently deployed in support of overseas contingency
operations. Gonzalez, like many of the service members in
the ceremony, started his application process before there
deployment.
There are many documents
needed to verify the history of applicants. For service
members deployed overseas, one specific document that is
needed is a certified letter stating that the service member
is serving honorably, said Robert Daum, Deputy District
Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bangkok,
Thailand. After the paperwork is complete and pre-interviews
conducted next comes coordination to complete as soon as
possible the process for all applicants.
“We try to
have the ceremony in conjunction with the naturalization
test and final interview to facilitate the service members,”
said Daum. “We want to complete the process within six
months or less so they can go back home U.S. citizens.”
The Oath of Allegiance concludes the ceremony. They
pledged their allegiance to defend the U.S., which is now
their official home. Even though their place of birth may
now be thousands of miles away, they will never forget where
they came from.
Pfc. Renante Manalastas, assigned to
the 549th TC, 129th CSSB, has only lived in the U.S. for six
years, who was originally born in the Philippines. After his
wife Rowena naturalized a few years back and his daughter,
Renae, was born in Guam, his next decision was easy.
“It was only natural to become a citizen but as a child I
knew I wanted to be a soldier. I am proud to be one as an
American,” said Manalastas.
Pfc. Piotr Mscichowski,
assigned to the 593rd TC, 129th CSSB, came from Poland at
the young age of 9. Becoming a citizen was not the only goal
in his life.
“I joined the Army for adventure and
excitement. I wanted to gain life experience so I knew the
Army was the way to go” said Mscichowski, who joined the
Army just last year.
During the ceremony, the guest
speaker, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker,
highlighted the significance of the service members present
and future.
“Each of you chose to put on that uniform
of the U.S. military knowing you will be put in harm's way,”
said Crocker. “That flag on your right shoulder is now
yours.”
The 46 service members in the ceremony
represent 25 nations across the world. Each has different
goals, beliefs and customs that exemplify the diversity of
the U.S. military. As U.S. citizens, they now share one
common responsibility in that they fight as one to defend
the same nation: the United States of America.
More associated images in frame below
By Army Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez
7th Sustainment Brigade
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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