VICENZA, Italy - Citizens from Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Italy and the Philippines swore the oath of allegiance and became American citizens in a naturalization ceremony at the post Hall of Heroes, April 3.
Two officials from the U.S. citizenship and immigration services office in Rome made the journey to Vicenza, allowing the five to be presented their citizenship in front of their units, family and friends.
“America is a country of immigrants, a country where the guarantees of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness has drawn people from around the world for more than 236 years,” said Col. Andrew Rohling, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, who spoke at the ceremony.
Of the five new American citizens, two were soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Pvt. Artur Falkowski of 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment and Spc. Zachary Spang of 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment.
“My dad is American, my brother is American, me and my mom are Canadian,” said Spang. “We’ve gone back and forth to the States and Canada my whole life.”
For Spang, who served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team during their last deployment to Afghanistan, it was a moment that made his service in the Army feel more official.
“It’s a lot better, I feel like I’m more part of the team now,” he said.
The ceremony closed with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and a video message from president of the United States, Barack Obama, followed by Americas newest citizens shaking hands and being congratulated by those in attendance.
“This is a country that, for generations has been enriched by cultures and traditions from every corner of the world and is made better each and every day by the talents and energies of its newest citizens,” said Rohling. “Strive for your own American dream and I sincerely hope you reach it.”
| Date Taken: |
04.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
04.05.2012 04:38 |
| Story ID: |
86269 |
| Location: |
IT |
| Web Views: |
139 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, 173rd soldiers, military spouses become citizens, by SFC Michael Sword, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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