Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | Participants of the naturalization ceremony pose at the Community Center aboard Camp...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The Community Center aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, hosted a naturalization ceremony Aug. 21.
1st Sgt. John Bejarano was among 19 candidates to become U.S. citizens.
“Being naturalized means the world to me,” said Bejarano, the Landing Support Company 1st Sgt., 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It is an honor to be a citizen of this great nation I swore to defend.”
According to Bejarano, he received some of his motivation from the Marine Corps. He enjoys being part of the most elite fighting force and spending time with other Marines.
“I came into the Marine Corps older than the average Marine,” said Bejarano. “I enlisted when I was 25. My first child was born after I graduated high school and I was (mostly) focused on figuring out how I was going to raise and support my child. After September 11th, that’s when I really contemplated joining. I enlisted on April 21, 2003. Best decision I have ever made.”
Not being naturalized has sometimes caused headaches with his career, according to Bejarano.
“Being (Marines), we need secret clearances for specific jobs or briefs,” he said. “It definitely narrowed the opportunities completing certain things.”
According to Bejarano, he looks forward to continuing to use this opportunity to better himself.
“Given this opportunity, (being) naturalized is going to allow me to be more diverse; hence a better, well-rounded leader of Marines,” said Bejarano. “Now I am able to vote and utilize all the freedoms we have as citizens of this great country.”
An American citizen is a good person who contributes to their community and the success of the country, according to Bejarano. They have good moral fiber and strong work ethics.
“I love what the U.S. stands for … ,” said Bejarano. " … the American Dream.”
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2015 01:22 |
| Story ID: | 174361 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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