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    New Iowan finds American dream in National Guard

    US citizenship realized

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Garvey | Originally from the small West African nation of Benin, Spc. Saliou Aboudou began the...... read more read more

    JOHNSTON, KS, UNITED STATES

    07.21.2014

    Story by Staff Sgt. Matthew Garvey 

    135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    JOHNSTON, Kan. - For nearly 300 years, people have served state and country by enlisting in the United States armed forces. Those who serve in the Iowa Army National Guard are no different. Like the Soldiers that served before them, they join for various reasons.

    Some are drawn to the GI Bill, which allows them to get their degree. Others join to make a difference, seek adventure or face challenges only available in the military. Many desire job security, others are simply patriots.

    There is another small group who enlist for another reason altogether. They come from all over the world, speak different languages and seek new opportunities.

    These people have dreams of a new life and the promise of freedom.

    Spc. Saliou Aboudou is one such person. The Coralville, Iowa resident, a truck driver with Detachment 1, 1133rd Transportation Company, 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, chose to enlist in the Iowa Army National Guard to access those opportunities.

    A native of Benin, Africa (a country that borders Nigeria), Aboudou came to the U.S. in 2011.

    Like many immigrants, Aboudou was forced to overcome the language barrier, seeking help from friends.

    “Sometimes you need help because you need to talk with people, experienced people,” Aboudou said.

    He was able to get by his first few months, staying with a Benin host family in Chicago. However, his lack of English blocked him from the kind of life most Americans take for granted.

    “I didn't speak any English, so I didn't go to find a job or go to school,” Aboudou said.

    Fortunately for Aboudou, he had a connection in Iowa who was willing to guide him on the path to success.

    “I had a friend of a friend who lives in Iowa, who asked me if I could read. I said yes, and he said, 'Okay, you can move here,'” Aboudou said. As simply as that, Aboudou moved to Coralville.

    After only two semesters of English courses at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City, Aboudou was confident enough to move forward.

    “When I got here, my goal was to go to school, get a degree and get a good job,” Aboudou said.

    Aboudou found the National Guard provided a means to attend college, with the added benefit of accelerating his American citizenship.

    After enlisting, Aboudou was attached to the 1133rd Trans. Co. Now an Iowa Army National Guard Soldier, Aboudou needed help becoming a citizen. The Soldiers in his new unit were more than happy to assist.

    “He mentioned he needed help with citizenship the first day I met him,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brent J. Shonlan of Omaha, Neb., the 1133rd Trans. Co. detachment sergeant. “He said he needed to become a citizen and bring his wife and son over. That was a big motivator for him.”

    Shonlan set out to help Aboudou, but the process was as foreign to him as English was to Aboudou when he first arrived. By the time Aboudou shipped off to basic training, Shonlan found Aboudou was supposed to have registered with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to begin the citizenship process. So, for the nine weeks of basic training, Aboudou's citizenship efforts were again put on hold.

    “I thought that if you served in the Army, you would be a citizen,” Aboudou said.

    Understandably frustrated, Aboudou remained undaunted. His new network of 1133rd battle buddies kept his spirits high, as Aboudou was part of the team. Once again, Shonlan stepped in to assist Aboudou.

    “Every time (Shonlan) sent me an email he would say, ‘Hey, where are you on this? Did you do it? Did you do this? Did you do that?’ That helped me do it,” Aboudou said.

    Shonlan tracked down all the forms and documents Aboudou would need to earn his prized citizenship. Through countless emails, Shonlan and Aboudou discussed how to fill out the forms, attach all the necessary documents and how to submit them.

    Once all the paperwork was turned in, Aboudou earned his citizenship after one year of service in the National Guard. The very next drill weekend, Shonlan was happy to make the announcement to his 1133rd brethren.

    “It was something I was proud to acknowledge in formation. I was very pleased and proud to share his news with the unit,” Shonlan said.

    Now, almost a year later, Aboudou is working alongside his team at annual training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. With his citizenship secured, he is looking forward to other plans he made before even setting foot on American soil.

    His most important goal now is to bring his wife and child from Benin to America. Aboudou has never met his son, as he left before he was born.

    “It's important to bring my wife here. I will do my best to bring my family here,” said Aboudou.

    He wants to be ready to provide for them by securing a job. In Africa, Aboudou earned his degree in accounting, but he'll need to go to college again here in America.

    “I love accounting, but there's a lot of opportunity in America. I'm going to keep my options open,” he said.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.21.2014
    Date Posted: 07.25.2014 14:37
    Story ID: 137313
    Location: JOHNSTON, KS, US
    Hometown: CAMP DODGE, IA, US
    Hometown: CORALVILLE, IA, US
    Hometown: IOWA CITY, IA, US
    Hometown: JOHNSTON, IA, US
    Hometown: OMAHA, NE, US

    Web Views: 161
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