Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, the Adjutant General, Indiana National Guard,...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — North of Manila, Philippines, near Mount Pinatubo, lies Angeles City, hometown of Spc. Genesis Liwanag. Liwanag came to the United States in 2004 when his aunt petitioned to be his sponsor for citizenship. He had to leave his wife and daughter behind in order to pursue his dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.
After his arrival in Indianapolis and with a Permanent Resident card in hand, Liwanag secured a job as a service manager with Walmart Automotive and joined the Indiana Army National Guard in November 2007.
Liwanag is a member of the 138th Quartermaster Support Company of Brazil, Ind., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, where he continues his civilian expertise as a mechanic for the unit.
During the mobilization training for Iraq, Liwanag started the paperwork to becoming a U.S. citizen. Little did he know that his dream would come true in a country where freedom and citizenship are also being established.
After the paperwork was processed and passport pictures taken, Spc. Liwanag traveled to Baghdad for his swearing-in ceremony. The ceremony took place in Al-Faw Palace on July 4. This very special moment was capped by shaking hands with Vice President Joe Biden, receiving a coin from Gen. Raymont Odierno, commanding general for Multi-National Force — Iraq, and receiving an American flag from Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Wilson, command sergeant major for Multi-National Force — Iraq. "It was very overwhelming, but fun," stated Spc. Liwanag. More than 230 Soldiers from all branches were sworn in together as citizens of the United States.
The dream does not end there for Liwanag. His long-term dream is to achieve citizenship for his wife and daughter. In order to do so, Liwanag will become a sponsor for them. Luckily, Liwanag is saving as much of his deployment income as possible. When asked what freedom meant to him, he jokingly replied, "I legally get to pay taxes — that is a good thing!"
The price of freedom is immeasurable for Liwanag and his family.
He will return to Angeles City during his leave time and celebrate with his family. Upon his return to Indiana in December 2009, Liwanag wants to pursue a technician position with the Indiana Army National Guard. As the often quoted motto of the 138th Quartermaster, "Livin' the Dream", proudly, Liwanag is able to do so with his newly achieved citizenship.
 
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2009 18:27 |
| Story ID: | 37838 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 184 |
| Downloads: | 172 |
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