Members made citizens

  • Published
  • By Airman Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Three service members, each from a different military service branch, became naturalized citizens of the United States at the Airman and Family Readiness Center Sept. 16 during the Military Naturalization Ceremony.

Senior Airman Adam Hamar, 940th Wing public affairs, Army Sergeant Chansophru Phaengsy, cargo specialist, and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeanne Olivo, hospital corpsman, raised their right hands and recited the Oath of Allegiance. They became naturalized citizens of the country they had already sworn to uphold and protect when they became service members.

Michael Briggs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office director, thanked the new citizens for their service to the United States and celebrated the opportunity America offers for immigrants to become naturalized citizens.

"This ceremony is a concept which embraces the notion that men and women can rally around ideas," Briggs said.

Those ideas being the Constitution, to which the new citizens swore to support and defend in the oath.

"I'm glad to finally be a naturalized citizen," said Hamar, who has lived in America for 20 years and hails from Budapest. "I've been waiting a long time for this."

After the new citizens received their citizenship certificates, presented by Col. Brian Hayes, 60th Medical Group commander, service members saluted and civilians stood with hands over their hearts in respect to the American flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.