CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- Veterans Day means more this year to 27 service members stationed here and in other locations around the area of operations. They will spend this Veterans Day as brand-new U.S. citizens after a ceremony Nov. 9.
The Soldiers, sailors and airmen hailed from 17 countries. Seven service members originally came from Mexico, while some countries, such as Micronesia and Suriname, contributed one apiece. There were also service members from Kenya, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, among others.
"It's a great day to be an American," said Brig. Gen Jonathan G. Ives, commander of the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, the ceremony's keynote speaker, "and an even better day to become one."
The route to citizenship for service members has been simplified in recent years. Under a special provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, service members are eligible for streamlined citizenship processing. During peacetime, a service member must serve honorably on active duty for one year before being eligible. During periods of hostility such as those that have existed since Sept. 11, 2001, a little as one day of honorable service may qualify, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
"These service members have already taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States," Ives said. "Today, they're taking a different oath. And with that oath, they will become citizens of the greatest nation on Earth."
Hundreds of service members attended the ceremony to support their new fellow citizens. Also in attendance were Maria Torra and Kenneth Ellis of the USCIS, who were there to swear in the new citizens.
Michael Adler, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, said he was pleased to be able to attend Wednesday's ceremony.
"Thank you for the sacrifices you have made, and that your families continue to make," he said.
Some of the brand-new Americans spoke of moving into the next phases of their lives.
"I feel happiness and relief," said Spc. Sean Yates, a member of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 224th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Virginia Army National Guard, and a native of Germany. "Now I can move forward in my life. My goal is to become an officer, and being a citizen, now I can."
Spc. David Duque, of the Forward Support Element, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, said he was "nervous at first" about the ceremony. But, he said, becoming a U.S. citizen is a major step forward.
"It's something I've needed to do for awhile," Duque, who came from Cuba at age 7, said. "This has given me a real feeling of accomplishment."
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