Fort Bliss Monitor

Citizen Soldiers
17 servicemembers take Oath of Naturalization

SPC. MARK MIRANDA
11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs

It might surprise some people to learn that many of the men and women who serve in the military and defend our country are not American citizens.

Though U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for service in the Army, Soldiers often choose to become naturalized to gain the same rights and privileges as their fellow Soldiers. For several Fort Bliss Soldiers, the road to citizenship ended Monday as they joined hundreds of other applicants who took the Oath of Naturalization during a ceremony at the El Paso Convention Center.

Dressed in Class A uniforms; the Soldiers were easy to spot among the 533 applicants gathered outside the convention center. Some arrived hours before the 11 a.m. ceremony, but as many of the group had been seeking citizenship for years, none complained about the morning’s wait.

“This is the final step in what can be a very long process,” said Sgt. Claudia M. Limon. “It normally takes about a year to complete, so nobody minds waiting a little longer.”

Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, U.S. Army Air Defense Center and Fort Bliss, Limon actually finished the process in only a few months. Though she grew up in California, Limon was born in Mexico and never pursued U.S. citizenship until now, as a way to reach her long-term goals. “I want to join the U.S. Secret Service and you have to be a citizen to do that,” she explained.

While the day was a special one for her, Limon said it meant even more to her family.

“My mom cried at the ceremony because she was so happy,” Limon said. “I’m her only child and she wants me to excel and reach my goals, and she knows being a U.S. citizen will help me do that.”

Spc. Sung H. Choi, a heavy wheel mechanic with C Battery, 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, was also among the group to take the oath Monday. The 22-year-old Choi is originally from South Korea.

“My father applied for his green card about 14 years ago, and it was a more difficult process. He’s back living in Korea with the rest of my family. As for me, I wanted to get a green card but the process is easier because I joined the Army after 9/11. Others wait for five years while living in the U.S.” Choi said.

“I struggled with English when I first joined, so I went through English as Second Language classes in Dallas. Of the occupational specialties offered to me, I thought being a mechanic would be interesting. I like the job, though I had no prior experience working on vehicles,” Choi said.

For Choi, reciting the oath meant he was now a citizen of the nation he had defended with his life – having deployed to Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom shortly after arriving in C Battery in November 2002.
“I like the Army life; I like working with these Soldiers, and it has been a good experience for me,” said Choi, who re-enlists today [Thursday, July 1] following on a three-year enlistment.

Choi and 16 other servicemembers were among the 533 applicants taking the Oath of Citizenship Monday.
“You are now able to vote, to take part in civic duties. You determine what you make of these new rights. You will find that your efforts were well worth it,” said Philip R. Martinez, U.S. District Judge for Western Texas, addressing El Paso’s newest citizens.

The honorary guest speaker was Eduardo Aguirre, a Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“I hope you will pursue your version of the American Dream,” Aguirre said, adding thanks to the day’s naturalized military servicemembers.

“Your choice to defend this nation — now your nation — is respected at the highest levels.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 1 , 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Citizen Soldiers 17 servicemembers take Oath of Naturalization SPC. MARK MIRANDA 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs It might surprise some people to learn that many of the men and women who serve in the military and defend our country are not American citizens. Though U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for service in the Army, Soldiers often choose to become naturalized to gain the same rights and privileges as their fellow Soldiers. For several Fort Bliss Soldiers, the road to citizenship ended Monday as they joined hundreds of other applicants who took the Oath of Naturalization during a ceremony at the El Paso Convention Center. Dressed in Class A uniforms; the Soldiers were easy to spot among the 533 applicants gathered outside the convention center. Some arrived hours before the 11 a.m. ceremony, but as many of the group had been seeking citizenship for years, none complained about the morning’s wait. “This is the final step in what can be a very long process,” said Sgt. Claudia M. Limon. “It normally takes about a year to complete, so nobody minds waiting a little longer.” Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, U.S. Army Air Defense Center and Fort Bliss, Limon actually finished the process in only a few months. Though she grew up in California, Limon was born in Mexico and never pursued U.S. citizenship until now, as a way to reach her long-term goals. “I want to join the U.S. Secret Service and you have to be a citizen to do that,” she explained. While the day was a special one for her, Limon said it meant even more to her family. “My mom cried at the ceremony because she was so happy,” Limon said. “I’m her only child and she wants me to excel and reach my goals, and she knows being a U.S. citizen will help me do that.” Spc. Sung H. Choi, a heavy wheel mechanic with C Battery, 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, was also among the group to take the oath Monday. The 22-year-old Choi is originally from South Korea. “My father applied for his green card about 14 years ago, and it was a more difficult process. He’s back living in Korea with the rest of my family. As for me, I wanted to get a green card but the process is easier because I joined the Army after 9/11. Others wait for five years while living in the U.S.” Choi said. “I struggled with English when I first joined, so I went through English as Second Language classes in Dallas. Of the occupational specialties offered to me, I thought being a mechanic would be interesting. I like the job, though I had no prior experience working on vehicles,” Choi said. For Choi, reciting the oath meant he was now a citizen of the nation he had defended with his life – having deployed to Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom shortly after arriving in C Battery in November 2002. “I like the Army life; I like working with these Soldiers, and it has been a good experience for me,” said Choi, who re-enlists today [Thursday, July 1] following on a three-year enlistment. Choi and 16 other servicemembers were among the 533 applicants taking the Oath of Citizenship Monday. “You are now able to vote, to take part in civic duties. You determine what you make of these new rights. You will find that your efforts were well worth it,” said Philip R. Martinez, U.S. District Judge for Western Texas, addressing El Paso’s newest citizens. The honorary guest speaker was Eduardo Aguirre, a Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “I hope you will pursue your version of the American Dream,” Aguirre said, adding thanks to the day’s naturalized military servicemembers. “Your choice to defend this nation — now your nation — is respected at the highest levels.”