Service members become citizens during Independence Day ceremony

Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Spc. Glory-Dana Salomon, a medic with the 66th Military Police Company, was among 156 service members who stood proud July 4 when they attained American citizenship during a Naturalization Ceremony. Standing at 4-feet-10-inches tall, Spc. Salomon helped raise the bar for former Haiti residents.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.10.2010

Courtesy Story

103rd Public Affairs Detachment

Courtesy of 103rd Publuic Affairs Detachment

Baghdad – The voices of 156 service members echoed off the marble-covered walls of the Al Faw palace as they proudly sounded off with the United States Oath of Allegiance.

The rotunda of the palace was standing room only July 4 as United States Forces-Iraq hosted the 17th U.S. naturalization ceremony held in Iraq.

Vice President of the United States Joseph R. Biden Jr., and his wife Dr. Jill Biden, were on hand as service members and civilians from across Iraq came to show their support for the new citizens.
Originally from 56 different countries, the new Americans now share a common bond of citizenship and have an additional reason to celebrate Independence Day.

Biden and Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, USF-I commanding general, both spoke to the service members before they recited the oath. They highlighted the selfless service the men and women have already given to their adopted country before becoming citizens.

“Hailing from 56 different countries, you came seeking our freedom, and before you even enjoyed the rights of full citizenship, you held up your right hand and you swore to support and defend that freedom, both at home and abroad. You volunteered to go into harm’s way in defense of your new nation,” Odierno said.

Emphasizing the “delicious irony” of the situation, Biden pointed out that the ceremony was being held in a palace built by a dictator.

“We are here in his marble palace, making a lie of everything he stood for,” said Biden.

“What a powerful symbol, what a powerful symbol you represent to those who yearn for freedom all across the world.

“On this Fourth of July weekend, I’m reminded that you have carried the torch of our founding fathers, the one that they lit 234 years ago. You carried it around the world,” he said.

A native of Brazil, Pfc. William Mesquita now lives inKankakee, Ill., and came to Iraq with the Army Reserve’s 317th Engineer Company. He said he had wanted to become a citizen for a several years. As he sat among his fellow service members before the ceremony started, the reality that he was about to fulfill his dream hit him. That was when the anticipation began to make him nervous.

“Sitting there, I just couldn’t believe it. I had butterflies in my stomach,” he said. “I was feeling very proud. At the same time I was longing for the moment to come when I would become a citizen.”
Private 1st Class Jean David Jeannite, with 1st Brigade Combat Team’s Special Troops Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, came to the U.S. from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when he was nine. He said this was the day he had been waiting 22 years for.

“Today was the greatest day of my life,” Jeannite said with a grin. “I’m finally, officially, part of the U.S., the greatest country in the world. I’m loving it. It’s unbelievable to be part of this. The vice president, wow! This is the highlight of my life!”

Although the new U.S. citizens were the center of attention at the ceremony, they were not the only members of USF-I to feel inspired. The leaders of many of the troops becoming citizens also attended the ceremony.

First Sgt. Marcos Hernandez, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, had five Soldiers from his unit who citizens at the event. He and his unit are getting ready to redeploy to Fort Lewis, Wash., and he said this was a great way to end the tour.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2010
• Date Posted: 07.10.2010 04:52
• Story ID: 52637
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ