Courtesy Photo | Service members take the Oath of Allegiance during their naturalization ceremony, Oct....... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Becoming a U.S. citizen is a dream for many and for approximately 90 Servicemembers serving on the battlefields of Afghanistan, that dream was realized in a naturalization ceremony here Oct. 1.
The service was coordinated and hosted by the Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan in conjunction with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office.
The JSC-A commander, Brig. Gen. Reynold Hoover, set the tone for the event.
“It’s a great day here in Kandahar and it’s especially a great day to become a American,” Hoover said.
The ceremony was the first U.S. naturalization service to take place at KAF and according to Steve Bucher of the USCIS, it was a huge success.
“This is very exciting,” said Bucher. “We have done several in Afghanistan but this is our first ceremony here. It is very important to get the word out to commanders out that there is a way to get Servicemembers naturalized through the military.”
“During the rehearsals, you could see where those becoming citizens were getting more and more excited (about becoming citizens),” added Bucher.
Servicemembers from 37 countries were represented, forming a diverse and unique group. The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. Timothy McHale, noted that diversity in his remarks.
“Diversity is our strength and yours will strengthen this country,” said McHale, the Deputy Commander for Support, U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
“Savor the moment,” continued McHale. “Congratulate each other. You have already proven your passion to this country.”
The daunting logistical task of naturalizing nearly 90 new U.S. citizens was not easy to accomplish, according to Bucher.
“These ceremonies dwarf wedding planning,” Bucher said. “The amount of logistics involved is enormous. We are pulling these individuals from their units and their missions. Also, traveling here is not ideal so getting a person from ‘point A’ to ‘point B’ can take several days.”
“It takes a lot of paperwork, interviews and phone calls back to the United States,” Bucher concluded.
Among the large group naturalized were nine service members under the JSC-A. Pfc. Vince Brackett, currently assigned to the 82nd Sustainment Brigade as a Finance technician and originally born in Jamaica, summed up the feelings of many.
“I am honored and humbled to say the least,” he said. “I have been dying to become a U.S. citizen.”
For his part, McHale gave the newest citizens of the U.S. some words to remember.
“With hard work, you can make your dreams come true,” McHale said. “You will be an inspiration to others who follow.”
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2010 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 57297 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, JSC-A Hosts Naturalization Service at KAF, by SFC Joe Cashion, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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