Say Anything Blog

The WND article Soldiers fighting for U.S. become citizens clearly illustrates the true meaning of American citizenship.  It’s not for those who sneak across our borders to reap the benefits of our society without contributions on their part.  It’s not for those who ridicule our nation and slander our military.  American citizenship is only meaningful for those that appreciate the principles on which this country was built and are willing to give their all to preserve them.

For Veteran’s Day 2007, 178 U.S. military men and women serving in Iraq became citizens of the country for which they are fighting, the United States. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff made the trip to Iraq’s largest airbase to preside over the legalization ceremony of servicemen and women who traced their birthplaces to more than 53 nations scattered around the globe.

In 2004, President Bush signed into law an executive order to accelerate “naturalization during a period of hostility” for those who are serving in the American military. So far, more than 4,000 have become citizens under the new law, but up to 40,000 are eligible.

Marine Cpl. Tintu Parameswar, born in India, took advantage of the immigration fast-track while deployed to Iraq. The corporal has lived in the United States since the age of three, is currently on his second tour in Fallujah and serves with the 2nd Tank Battalion.

“There are more job opportunities,” the corporal said about his decision to become a citizen. He’d like to make a career out of the military and intends to re-enlist during this tour.

One applicant, Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Brownie with 82nd Airborne, 2nd Brigade out of Fort Bragg, N. C., was born in Alberta, Canada. After middle school, high school and now the Army, Daniel has lived in the United States for most of his life.

But how did this Canadian national feel about being in Iraq and serving a country where he did not have the right to vote?

“I support our mission, I signed up for this,” said Brownie. ”I wanted to be a part of something greater than myself.”

It’s a little publicized fact many Canadians crossed the border to enlist in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.

Of course, joining the American military meant the possibility of serving in a combat zone. Why not stay in Canada and join that service?

“I couldn’t stand up tall and tell people ‘I’m in the Canadian Army,’” he said. “I didn’t even know they had an army.”

Canadian military action is poorly viewed by a French and English-speaking public that gets nosebleeds just reading about the American military. So, how did Brownie come to have a different opinion about the American military machine?

“I love to be able to say I’m a part of the strongest military in the world.”

The staff sergeant actually re-enlisted on the 4th of July this year.

When asked his opinion on the current illegal immigration debate, he was straight-forward. ”I work in the Army and I have to go through the system, everyone else should go through the system too.”
The general opinion of the men and women who finally arrived at their destination after a long journey is that citizenship is something to be earned.

During the initial press conference before the naturalization ceremony, a reporter from Newsweek asked, “Has there been any evidence of people joining the military just to get citizenship?”

Chertoff and most of the members of the military in the room openly laughed. “There are far easier ways of doing it,” Brig. Gen. Couch said.

He’s right. Those who serve and risk their lives for a country not entirely their own have taken a harder test to naturalization than anyone else. Many servicemen killed in action have been posthumously granted citizenship.

“It’s a privilege to become an American,” said Brownie.

What American citizenship is all about..