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    US Soldiers gain citizenship in Kuwait

    US Soldiers gain citizenship

    Photo By Sgt. William White | Sgt. 1st Class Soloman George, a gunnery sergeant with A Company, 3rd Battalion 16th...... read more read more

    KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT

    05.27.2014

    Courtesy Story

    U.S. Army Central   

    KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – In front of an audience of friends and colleagues, four Soldiers hailing from four different countries became United States citizens at the United States Embassy in Kuwait.

    The Soldiers, currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, recited the Oath of Citizenship and led their peers in the Pledge of Allegiance completing the final step to becoming U.S. citizens.

    Among the Soldiers being naturalized was Sgt. 1st Class Soloman George, a cannon crew member with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

    First Sgt. Glendon Sorrell, George’s first sergeant, was there to support him.

    “It’s a big day for him,” Sorrell said. “He is very humbled and I can tell he takes it very seriously even on an emotional level and he is very proud.”

    Sorrell, a Jamaica native, was naturalized in Kosovo in 2002.
    “It has opened up doors and it will do the same for [George],” said Sorrell.

    The naturalization process will allow those gaining citizenship new rights both as civilians and in their military careers.

    “It does my heart good to see him go through and get the results that he needs,” Sorrell said. “He lives the seven Army values and I know he will continue to do well.”

    Pfc. Tatiana Ioppa, a technical engineer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 19th Engineer Battalion was also naturalized at the ceremony.

    During the ceremony, Ioppa stepped up to give remarks as a new United States Citizen. Ioppa, a Russia native, was supported by nearly 30 friends and coworkers waving American Flags and cheering her on.

    Ripe with emotion, she forgot the speech she had prepared and instead thanked her fellow Soldiers for their attendance, and ended with a loud “God Bless America!”

    Also naturalized during the ceremony were Staff Sgt. Sounthavone Sayachith, a motor transport operator with A Company, 204th Brigade Support Battalion and Pfc. Bruno Villa, a combat engineer with C Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.27.2014
    Date Posted: 05.27.2014 14:43
    Story ID: 131212
    Location: KUWAIT CITY, KW

    Web Views: 502
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN