BAGHDAD, Iraq — Five Soldiers serving in Iraq with the North Carolina National Guard's 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Camp Victory's al-Faw Palace, Nov. 11.
The ceremony, held on Veterans Day, was a fitting salute Soldiers' service to their country.
Spc. Lourival Ledo Jr., originally of Brazil; Spc. Josue Reyes, originally of Costa Rica; Spc. David Toe, originally of Liberia; and Spc. Angelica Rangel and Spc. Heriberto Mendoza-Cardenas, both originally of Mexico, all took part in the ceremony.
"It's an honor and a privilege, to call you a fellow citizen of the United States of America," President Barack Obama said in a video message. "This is now officially your country; your home to protect, to defend and to serve through active and engaged citizenship."
"It's great," said Rangel, who is the first person in her family of five siblings, to become a U.S. citizen. "It was a good ceremony and a good experience. It definitely feels like it's our day, especially being Veteran's Day."
"It's a perfect day; I think it's perfectly fitting," said Rangel's battalion commander, Lt. Col. Barry Hull. "Rangel's an outstanding Soldier...I think she represents the best that our country has to offer. [She] recognized the value that our nation has to offer people, and recognized that it's worth defending," Hull said.
"It's a milestone," said Ledo, who has been in the military for five years now. "To be part, not only of the 30th Brigade, but now be part of the history and be part of the citizens who serve proudly from this country."