Marne Soldiers fulfill dreams of citizenship

Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Pfc. Habiba Chowdhurry recites the oath of citizenship at the Marne Division chapel here Dec. 17.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.03.2006

Courtesy Story

100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Jennifer D. Atkinson
100th MPAD

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " "one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." With their right hands over their hearts, approximately 80 of America's newest citizens completed the Pledge of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the 3rd Infantry Division chapel Dec. 17.

For many of the Soldiers, who traveled to Camp Liberty from all over the 3rd Inf. Div. area of operations, the ceremony marked the realization of their long awaited dreams to become citizens of the country they already serve.

Today, naturalization is a lengthy undertaking, but originally it was a simple two-step process. An immigrant who wished to become a naturalized citizen had to swear that he had lived in the United States for a specified period of time and that he bore a "favorable disposition" toward the country.

On July 17, 1862, an exception to the two-step process was granted to veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Army during wartime. This "one paper" process was extended to veterans of the Navy and Marine Corps in 1894.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said "anyone who is good enough to shed their blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards."

Each of the Soldiers participating in the Dec. 17 naturalization ceremony earned that 'square deal," said Brig. Gen. Mark O'Neill, assistant division commander-support, 3rd Inf. Div.

Praising the Soldiers" commitment to their new nation, O'Neill told the Soldiers they each brought a unique energy to America and that they had "already shouldered a heavy burden on behalf of your fellow Americans" by serving in the military.

O'Neill reminded the soon-to-be-citizens that "citizenship bears rights, but also responsibilities." Although each Soldier is already part of history, and participating in American democracy by joining the military before becoming a citizen, O'Neill said the responsibility of citizenship would always be there.

Spc. Sakpraneth Khim, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), said serving in the Army wasn't shouldering a burden, but a way to 'repay a debt of gratitude to a good country."

Originally from Cambodia, Khim was a child when his family came to the United States as refugees 18 years ago. "I've always wanted to be a citizen," said Khim, "but it's a long process."

Soldiers who are deployed can take advantage of a 'streamlined" process, said Khim, and that helps.

After applicants make sure "all the Ts are crossed and all the Is are dotted," it becomes a waiting game, said Khim. Originally, Khim's interview was scheduled for May of next year, "but this is better," he said.

Pfc. Habiba Chowdhurry, of Company A, 3rd Soldier Support Battalion, is the first in her family to become a U.S. citizen. In 1992 her parents brought their two children to the United States from Bangladesh for better education opportunities.

"I wanted to become a citizen of the country I serve. I'm fighting for it and I took an oath," Chowdhurry said. She, like Khim, was pursuing her citizenship back in the States, but was lucky enough to be interviewed in Iraq.

Chowdhurry also had a pragmatic reason for wanting to be naturalized. "If anything happens here (in Iraq)," she said, "I want my mother to be able to say "My daughter was a United States citizen and she was serving her country." Chowdhurry said her family is excited about her citizenship, and so is she.

"I'm very proud that I'm not the only one who wanted this," she said as she looked at fellow Soldiers waiting to take their oath. "I'm having a great day!"

• Date Taken: 01.03.2006
• Date Posted: 01.03.2006 11:14
• Story ID: 4256
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ