Service members gain American citizenship

Photo By Lance Cpl. Bradley Rogers | Cpl. Angela McCalmon swears her oath of allegiance to the United States during Okinawa's first Naturalization and Oath of Allegiance Ceremony of 2007 at the Camp Foster Theater.  

CAMP LESTER, JAPAN

03.09.2007

Story by Lance Cpl. Bradley Rogers 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Lance Cpl. David Rogers
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, Japan, -- Service members from 29 countries took their oath of allegiance to the United States during Okinawa's first Naturalization and Oath of Allegiance Ceremony of 2007 at the Camp Foster Theater.

Sixty-one Marines and sailors and one soldier became American citizens, accepting all the responsibilities and benefits it entails, during the March 2 ceremony.

As U.S. citizens, the service members gained the right to vote, run for political office, hold select federal government jobs and have the right to receive assistance from any American embassy.

"This opens new doors for the things I want to do in life," said Lance Cpl. Joao Vicente, a new American citizen originally from the Republic of Cape Verde.

Vicente plans to use his citizenship to one day pursue a career as a special agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a job that requires citizenship.

Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin, the commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. She spoke of the history of immigrants in the military.

"As a nation of immigrants, our nation has not fought a single war without the support of immigrant soldiers," Krusa-Dossin said.

Robert Looney, the district director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Bangkok District, swore in the new citizens.

"Your sacrifice and service ... is an inspiration," Looney said.

Becoming a citizen has been an easier process for service members since President George W. Bush signed an executive order July 3, 2002, that expedited the citizenship application process for active duty service members serving on or after Sept. 11, 2001, because they are serving during wartime.

• Date Taken: 03.09.2007
• Date Posted: 03.09.2007 08:50
• Story ID: 9368
• Location: CAMP LESTER, JP