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By Pfc. Christopher T. Grammer
Desert Voice staff writer
KUWAIT – A naturalization ceremony was held for 61 service members at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 5.
"It's a great opportunity to get federal jobs," Spc. Jose Hernandez, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment, formerly of Mexico but now living in Bakersfield, Calif., said. "A great feeling to know I'm now a U.S. citizen."
Those being naturalized came from many nations such as Ireland, Mexico, Egypt and Iraq among others.
The ceremony started with the posting of the colors followed by a few words from Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace, United States Army Central commanding general.
Lovelace pointed out the efforts and sacrifices made by those receiving citizenship as well as the commitment they had already made to defend their new home country.
After the speech by Lovelace and Sonny Busa, the consular chief of section at the U.S. Embassy, the service members being naturalized stood and recited the Oath of Allegiance in unison.
As Joseph Hakcbarth, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services immigration officer, read the oath out load, the service members raised their right hands with pride.
"You are now American citizens," Hackbarth finally said. Those words marked the end of their transformation into citizens of the United States of America.
"I feel wonderful and I am proud to be an American," Spc. Lee Lokboj, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment, formerly of the Marshall Islands but now living in Santa Ana, Calif., said.
Following the oath, the service members proceeded to the stage in file, recited their name and country of origin, and received their certificates of naturalization.
Many reactions were seen on the faces of the new Americans as they returned to their seats with the papers that proved their citizenship. Some sat rigid and proud while others openly shed tears and held the papers in their shaking hands.
The naturalized citizens then held their hands over their hearts as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
A video was then shown containing words of congratulations by President George W. Bush who welcomed the service members into citizenship.
At the end of the ceremony the service members left the building not only as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, but as proud citizens of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2008 12:16 |
| Story ID: | 18330 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 93 |
| Downloads: | 84 |
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