2008 Ambassador Remarks
Ambassador Ryan Crocker and General Raymond Odierno Remarks at Naturalization Ceremony
November 4, 2008
MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the ambassador of the United States to Iraq, Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker.
(Applause.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: General Odierno, thank you very much for making me part of this ceremony.
Men and women of our armed forces, I am honored to be here today to welcome you as the new citizens of the United States of America. You represent the best of our country. You have worn our flag on your shoulders. Today that flag is yours. You join your brothers and sisters in arms as citizens of our great country.
Throughout our history, the hard work, strength, and patriotism of immigrants have made our nation great. Many sons and daughters of immigrants have joined the armed forces to help safeguard the liberties that all of us enjoy as Americans. And I can think of no greater gift to bestow upon those immigrants serving in the armed forces who have already sacrificed so much for our country, than the opportunity to become a United States citizen.
Since President Bush signed the expedited naturalization executive order on July 3, 2002, more than 40,000 members of the U.S. armed forces have become American citizens. In the words of Justice Louis Brandeis, "The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen."
Today is the 14th such ceremony that has been held here, in Iraq. We honor 186 service members from 60 countries, as they continue their service to our nation from today, as American citizens.
I know many of you joining us today went to extraordinary lengths to make it to this ceremony, including the special pleasure of waiting for three to four days on space-available lists at bases throughout Iraq. I know how important it was for you to be here today. I know how proud you are to become United States citizens, and I am just as proud to be able to call you my fellow citizens.
Each one of you sitting here today has a unique personal story that brought you here. I would like to mention just one of those, that of Specialist Rasha Hennessy, a native of Baghdad. She was born and raised here, and grew up under the Saddam Hussein regime. On the morning of liberation in 2003, Specialist Hennessy stood on the roof of her family's home and watched as anti-aircraft fire lit up the sky. Shortly thereafter, she began work as an interpreter for the coalition forces at great risk to her own safety.
She later met a soldier who would become her husband, Michael Hennessy of the 3rd ID. And two years ago, she set foot on American soil for the first time. Eager to continue serving the United States, she joined the National Guard. Just prior to her deployment back to Iraq, Specialist Hennessy made a trip to New York City to see the Statue of Liberty, that beacon of hope for generations of immigrants from all over the world.
Today, she is here, serving both her native country and her new home country. Today she earns her United States citizenship in the city where she was born. When asked what it means to her to become an American citizen, she said, "It's a great thing. I can't even express in words, to be a woman in a country that has no boundaries in the land of liberty, peace, and freedom."
Specialist Hennessy, yours is a unique story that represents 185 stories here in this room. I would ask you to stand.
(Applause.)
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: As the ambassador to Iraq, I have witnessed firsthand the sacrifices you have made. You have helped bring freedom to a people who had known the horrors of living under a cruel dictatorship. You continue to help them rebuild their country.
You have given hope to those who had none, and protection to those who are most vulnerable. Your accomplishments have transformed this country. And, as a fellow citizen, I am grateful that you have answered the call to serve your country as we continue to build a free and democratic Iraq. You have given the gift of freedom to others.
And, finally, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, including the 117 members of the U.S. armed forces who have been granted citizenship posthumously during the global war on terrorism.
So, I thank you. I thank you for your courage, your patriotism, your contribution to the security of Iraq, to the security of our country, to the security of our allies. Years from now, you will look back with pride on what you have accomplished here, and you will be seen as the heroes you truly are: America's newest citizen warriors.
Thank you for your service. God bless all of you, and God bless America.
(Applause.)
MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the commander of the Multi-National Force, Iraq, General Raymond T. Odierno.
GENERAL ODIERNO: First, good morning, everyone. How are you all doing today?
PARTICIPANTS: Hooah!
GENERAL ODIERNO: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today for this incredible, important ceremony, in honor of these outstanding men and women sitting here today.
I cannot think of a better day to naturalize new United States citizens than on election day, a day when our fellow Americans are carrying out the critical task of choosing our nation's leaders. And I can think of no better place to naturalize these brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines than here in Iraq. And I would like to say, right up front, congratulations on a remarkable achievement.
Ambassador Crocker, Ambassador Ereli, Director Scharfen, Ms. Pietropaoli, distinguished guests, thank you for taking part in today's ceremony. I would like to thank the 10th Mountain Division Band for the music this morning. You sound great. And I appreciate your efforts to make this ceremony so special.
I would also like to extend my thanks to Ms. Janice Bradshaw and Ms. Rita Sheridan of the AAFES Iraq Operations Center for donating the flags that our new citizens will receive today.
Finally, I would like to thank the entire United States Citizenship and Immigration Services team for working so hard to make this event possible. Let's please give them all a round of applause.
(Applause.)
GENERAL ODIERNO: You know, I was sitting there thinking, as I was watching that video, you know, I left here last February, and when I was told to come back with my new assignment, my family had to move this summer. And as my wife and I moved into our new house, we were going through our things. And I happened to come across my grandfather's naturalization citizenship papers when he became a U.S. citizen in 1916.
And I think about how thankful I am for him, for making that brave decision to become a U.S. citizen and give me the freedom and liberty to do what I have -- I can do today. And you're starting that for your families. And you should be proud of that, as you move forward in your life.
Often, when people think about new U.S. citizens, the image that comes to mind is New York's Statue of Liberty bearing the famous inscription, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." I grew up just outside New York City, and the Statue of Liberty has always had special meaning to me.
But to be honest, I am not so sure that its legendary inscription is applicable to this group here today. Because when I look at the men and women sitting before me, I'm having a hard time figuring out how anyone could use the terms "tired," "poor," or "huddled" to describe them. If I had to write an inscription for the Statue of Liberty to describe the soon-to-be citizens in this rotunda, I would say, "Give me your best, your brightest, and your bravest. Give me your warriors, your heroes, who will enhance our great nation, and who will strive to keep her free."
The 186 of you seated here today will soon become the United States's newest citizens. And I am extremely grateful to have such an outstanding group joining the ranks of our citizenry, hailing from 60 different countries across the world. You come to our country seeking freedom. And before you've even enjoyed the rights of full citizenship you held up your right hand and swore to support and defend that freedom, both at home and abroad. You volunteered to go in harm's way in defense of your new nation.
As Ambassador Crocker mentioned, in the unique case of Specialist Rasha Hennessy, that also meant defending your birth nation. Specialist Hennessy's story is amazing, and I know that this room is full of stories just as incredible. Cherish these stories and hold on to your unique heritage. America's vibrant diversity is an integral part of our national culture, and has been a driving force behind our nation's prosperity throughout the past two centuries.
Diverse as your backgrounds may be, however, you all now have one thing in common: you are all Americans. You represent the very best of all that our nation stands for: freedom, opportunity, equality, and service. And you serve here today to bring to others the liberty, freedom, and hope that we, as Americans, are so fortunate to enjoy.
So, congratulations on this historic occasion. I am honored to call you my comrades in arms, and today it is my privilege to call you my fellow citizens. May God bless all of you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you so much.
(Applause.)
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