Courtesy Photo | Spc. Lina Jergees, a linguist with the 177th Military Police Brigade, receives a U.S....... read more read more
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LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq- In the largest naturalization ceremony in Iraq to date, 178 foreign-born service members got a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they received their U.S. citizenship as Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, led them in the Oath of Allegiance, Nov. 11.
The ceremony was held on Veterans Day at the Sustainer Theater, under the auspices of the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
"Not too many years ago this theater was the site of entertainment and events under a different kind of regime led by a brutal dictator. That we can transform this space into a hallowed place in which the oath of freedom and citizenship is administered, is a true illustration of the transformative power of the kind of work that you (candidates) do in carrying the torch of freedom," said Chertoff. "I can't think of people who are more deserving of citizenship then those who are fighting to defend the country even before they are citizens. They understand that freedoms don't come free and they are willing to make sacrifices even before they reap the benefits of citizenship."
Emilio T. González, director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, himself an Army veteran, presented each recent citizen with a certificate of naturalization.
Brig. Gen. Gregory E. Couch, 316th ESC Commanding General, congratulated each new American veteran-citizen.
"It is fitting that these wonderful warriors be granted citizenship on Veteran's Day," said Couch.
Naturalized service members also received a U.S. flag from the 316th ESC senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Stacey E. Davis.
According to USCIS, nearly 40,000 troops are not American citizens. Many foreign-born men and women have pledged commitment to the U.S. Constitution by serving in the military and are availing themselves of a July 2002 executive order making members of the Armed Forces immediately eligible to apply for citizenship. Approximately 4,000 service members have earned U.S. citizenship while serving abroad since 2004.
About the 316th
The 316th ESC is the U.S. Army's first transformation-era modular unit to deploy to Iraq. Converted from a traditionally structured force to one that is modularly redesigned to better address sustained military operations and missions and the nation's emergency rapid response, it is the leading Army's "deployable model" for future military operations worldwide. Based out of Coraopolis, Pa., the Army Reserve unit has more than 400 Soldiers from 42 states and three countries assigned. Charged with sustaining U.S. units, multi-national coalition partners and Iraqi forces, the 316th ESC provides everything from bullets to beans, from fuel to maintenance parts, to coordination of certain human resources. The 316th ESC provides command and control to all sustainment forces, approximately 20,000 logistical Soldiers, in Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2007 08:19 |
| Story ID: | 13795 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 476 |
| Downloads: | 383 |
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