Photo By Capt. Brandon Barnett | More than 150 service members gathered at Camp Victory to take the Oath of Citizenship...... read more read more
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By Fredrick J. Coleman
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)
AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - One Marine with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3 recently earned the right to call himself an American citizen after a naturalization ceremony in Baghdad Nov. 5.
Lance Cpl. Yeral Frontela, a 19-year-old administration clerk serving on his first deployment with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) squadron, underwent the seven-month process that included a written and verbal examination on American history. The process is free to service members.
"It feels good to finally complete this process and be able to call myself an American citizen," said the Miami native. "It took a long time, but the wait was definitely worth it. It's a weight lifted off my chest."
Frontela, eight years old at the time, arrived in the United States in 1997 when his father, Rolf Frontela, packed up his young son and his pregnant wife, leaving Havana, Cuba, in pursuit of a better life.
"I wanted my family to live in a place where they could pursue what they wanted and didn't have to be afraid when they spoke their minds," said Rolf. "I'm happy to see my son pursue the life he wants to. I couldn't be more proud of him for deciding to serve his country during a time of war."
Frontela's decision to join the Marine Corps came during his senior year at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami Lakes, Fla. His passion for the military came from watching countless recruiting commercials and his attraction to physically demanding challenges.
"I knew from the start of my senior year that I was going to join the military but didn't know which branch to join until I watched a lot of Marine Corps commercials," said Frontela. "I'll never regret serving my country because that's the noblest thing any American or citizen can do."
After graduating in June 2006, he headed to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., where he graduated as a private first class due to referring three friends to join the Corps as well.
Frontela currently takes classes online through Florida State University and hopes to pursue a career in nursing when he wraps up his Marine Corps career.
Frontela will return to his home station, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., when 3rd MAW (Fwd) wraps up their deployment in February 2009.
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2008 00:44 |
| Story ID: | 27494 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 692 |
| Downloads: | 549 |
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