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Chicago Sun Times, IL
Nov 10 2006
They fought our wars, now they're citizens
'It's the greatest feeling': Soldiers, veterans sworn in
November 10, 2006
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Staff Reporter
Anthony Savarino thought he would automatically become an American
citizen when he joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
The Italy native eventually learned otherwise, and a busy life
raising a family and running a restaurant kept him from fulfilling a
longtime dream of gaining citizenship.
>From many nations
That is, until Thursday, when the 58-year-old Orland Park man --
along with 14 other current and former U.S. military members, and two
military spouses -- were naturalized in a special pre-Veterans Day
ceremony in federal court downtown.
The new citizens came from countries including South Korea, Haiti and
the Dominican Republic.
'You have answered the call'
"It's hard to believe," Savarino said of the milestone day -- also
his 36th wedding anniversary. "It was about time. I wanted [the
opportunity] to vote."
U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan -- who was born in Armenia
-- swore in the group, telling those taking the Oath of Allegiance
that it was not only a "happy day" for them, but for the country as
well. "You have answered the call for duty," he said.
Speeded-up process
More than 25,000 service men and women have become naturalized
citizens since President Bush signed the "Expedited Naturalization
Executive Order" in 2002, speeding up the naturalization process for
legal permanent residents serving on active duty in the armed forces
in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship
and Immigration Services.
Army Sgt. Bernard Ramos' parents and five siblings had already
obtained U.S. citizenship. The family moved to the United States from
the Philippines in 1982.
But being the last in the family to gain citizenship didn't lessen
the emotional impact of the day for the 35-year-old Morton Grove
resident and Iraq veteran.
A father of four, Ramos tightly gripped his youngest child, Maya, in
one hand and a mini American flag in the other during the ceremony.
"It's the greatest feeling next to my kids being born," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Nov 10 2006
They fought our wars, now they're citizens
'It's the greatest feeling': Soldiers, veterans sworn in
November 10, 2006
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Staff Reporter
Anthony Savarino thought he would automatically become an American
citizen when he joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
The Italy native eventually learned otherwise, and a busy life
raising a family and running a restaurant kept him from fulfilling a
longtime dream of gaining citizenship.
>From many nations
That is, until Thursday, when the 58-year-old Orland Park man --
along with 14 other current and former U.S. military members, and two
military spouses -- were naturalized in a special pre-Veterans Day
ceremony in federal court downtown.
The new citizens came from countries including South Korea, Haiti and
the Dominican Republic.
'You have answered the call'
"It's hard to believe," Savarino said of the milestone day -- also
his 36th wedding anniversary. "It was about time. I wanted [the
opportunity] to vote."
U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan -- who was born in Armenia
-- swore in the group, telling those taking the Oath of Allegiance
that it was not only a "happy day" for them, but for the country as
well. "You have answered the call for duty," he said.
Speeded-up process
More than 25,000 service men and women have become naturalized
citizens since President Bush signed the "Expedited Naturalization
Executive Order" in 2002, speeding up the naturalization process for
legal permanent residents serving on active duty in the armed forces
in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship
and Immigration Services.
Army Sgt. Bernard Ramos' parents and five siblings had already
obtained U.S. citizenship. The family moved to the United States from
the Philippines in 1982.
But being the last in the family to gain citizenship didn't lessen
the emotional impact of the day for the 35-year-old Morton Grove
resident and Iraq veteran.
A father of four, Ramos tightly gripped his youngest child, Maya, in
one hand and a mini American flag in the other during the ceremony.
"It's the greatest feeling next to my kids being born," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress