Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jason Everett | Spc. Princy Mungedi, petroleum supply specialist with 1034th Quartermaster Company,...... read more read more
The loudest applause on July 7 at Principal Park, Des Moines, Iowa, wasn’t for any swing of the bat or play on the field by an Iowa Cubs baseball player. In fact, it didn’t even take place during the game. It was for a group of people participating in one of the most sacred of civic ceremonies.
Members of our community stood along the third baseline waving miniature American flags, with their right hands raised, and pledged allegiance to the United States of America - they became citizens. Spc. Princy Mungedi, petroleum supply specialist, 1034th Quartermaster Company, Iowa Army National Guard, was one of them.
Mungedi, whose first name is a variation of the popular French name “Prince,” was born in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Lubumbashi is one of the most important mining cities in the world and the 2nd largest city in the country. With such a focus on precious metal production, opportunities in education and occupational interests can be limited. Many young Congolese, like Mungedi, often look for opportunities elsewhere.
He was torn between studying medicine or law enforcement at a university in Zambia when a friend handed him an application for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery. The friend doubted the chances of winning, as only 50,000 of the 20 million applicants a year are selected annually, but Mungedi decided to give it a shot.
Several months later, with the application long forgotten, Mungedi would sit puzzled, looking at a Facebook message titled, 'Congratulations, you won!'
“I didn’t know what I won,” Mungedi said, “but, when I realized what it was, I cried out and I dropped to my knees. I couldn't believe it.”
Stories of immigrants and refugees vary in the levels of personal hardship and motivating factors for seeking entrance into the United States. However, once they get here they share in challenging experiences of the journey to becoming a citizen.
There are not many people that understand and empathize with this more than Capt. David Craig, immigration and diversity officer, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard. He is the point man for the Expedited Citizenship and Sponsorship (ECAS) Program, an Iowa Army National Guard-specific program. Over the past year, Craig has sat with scores of people, hearing their stories and helping them with the citizenship and family sponsorship process. He is passionate about his role and has knowledge of the American citizenship process because his wife is an immigrant from Brazil.
Craig explained that it takes about five years for a green card holder to be eligible to apply for citizenship, and the expense is beyond what the average person can afford.
“I know the cost firsthand – it’s a major financial burden,” said Craig. “But now, I am able to play a part in lessening the burdens and that’s very fulfilling.”
The elation could be seen gleaming from Craig’s face as he watched from the stands, with the thousands of other fans, as Mungedi stood on the field reciting the Oath of Allegiance. And Craig cheered vigorously at the verse that seals the commitment of every new citizen, the words – “So help me, God.”
Mungedi explained that it was an emotional moment, being the conclusion of a long road and the beginning of a new chapter. And from his point of view, that new chapter was being propelled by an exceptional outpouring of goodwill.
“I felt a lot of positivity from people like I was a member of the community,” said Mungedi. “They welcomed us.”
One person, in particular, had bestowed on them one of the rarest of honors; one that is often reserved for presidents, celebrities, and other people of note. An Iowa Cubs representative walked up to Mungedi, said a few words, and handed him the game ball to throw the first pitch.
Despite his best effort, Mungedi would end up throwing the ball into the dirt, but the cheers of the crowd made it evident that no one cared. Maybe because there was a sense that what they were witnessing was special; and, in fact, it was. It was a rare trifecta of past times and a pinnacle of the American experience.
Mungedi threw the first-pitch, after becoming an American, at America’s Game.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2021 14:10 |
| Story ID: | 401236 |
| Location: | DES MOINES, IA, US |
| Web Views: | 352 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Iowa National Guard Soldier becomes a citizen, by SFC Jason Everett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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