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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (November 6, 2008) -
Sixteen Servicemembers pledged their allegiance to their new
country at the zone 1 chapel at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Nov. 6.
U.S. Army Central headquarters staff and the U.S. Citizenship
and immigration services, held a naturalization ceremony making
servicemembers who joined the U.S. military from 14 other countries
official citizens of United States of America.
The ceremony began with an invocation by Lt. Col. Steven
Michalke, USARCENT deputy chaplain, and the posting of the colors
by the Area Support Group - Kuwait color guard.
Following, was the national anthem sung by Staff Sgt. Yvonne
Nelson, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, and a video presentation
of Faces of America, a short video about immigration to
America.
Brigadier General Gary Bunch, who is also a naturalized U.S.
citizen, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
"I can't assure it, but I doubt my prospects growing up in
Germany would have been completing college and being a senior
leader in the German Army," said Bunch.
Bunch told the audience about how he and his twin sister were
adopted from an orphanage in Manheim, Germany by a Central Texas
couple and were given American citizenship in 1957, through the
naturalization process.
By becoming an American citizen allowed me to achieve a life I
envisioned and accomplish all the goals I have set for myself,"
said Bunch.
"I'm also a naturalized citizen, as well as the son of
naturalized citizens and the cousin of many naturalized citizens,"
said Mr. Sonny Busa, consular chief of section, U.S. Embassy,
Kuwait.
Busa, a former U.S. Army Ranger, the guest speaker for the
ceremony, told the new citizens that being an American is more than
just being part of a country.
"As Americans you've got to do the right thing, because that's
what Americans do," said Busa, after sharing a story with the
audience about how he and a group of U.S. Marines rescued three
Americans from a conflict in Ethiopia.
Then, the candidates stood and were introduced to the audience.
They were ordered to raise their right hand and denounce their
citizenship to their individual native countries.
After officially becoming United States citizens, the 16
candidates marched onto the stage one at a time and introduced
themselves and told what country they came from. They received
certificates and shook hands with the official party while many
people in the audience took photos and cheered for their fellow
servicemembers.
"It feels good being a new American citizen," said Sgt. Arturas
Samoilovas, A Company, 237th Brigade Support Battalion, 37th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Ohio National Guard.
Somoilovas, who originated in Lithuania, Europe, said that he
joined the U.S. Army because he liked the benefits and
opportunities, such as college, that were provided to him.
"I also want to improve my language skills[speaking English],"
Somoilovas added.
The ceremony closed with a video message from President George
W. Bush and the pledge of allegiance led by Pfc. Hel Milo, 151st
Transportation detachment, who originated in Vietnam.
"I was kind of nervous at first, but it was really cool and I
felt very proud to lead everyone in the pledge of allegiance," said
Milo.
Once the colors were retired, proud servicemembers gave hugs and
laughed celebrating their comrades joining what many Americans call
the greatest nation on earth.
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