By Staff Sergeant Andrew Caya, CJTF-HOA Public Affairs
A miniature American flag symbolizes the Oath of Allegiance to the United States as two service members become citizens at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
U.S. Soldiers and Sailors waved miniature American flags as they welcomed our country s newest citizens into their ranks at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 25.
Utilitiesman 3
rd Class Kelan Scott, NMCB 5, and Sgt. Joel Lara, C Battery, 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, raised their right hands and swore the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in front of other U.S. service members during a naturalization ceremony.
This was pretty cool, said UT3 Scott, who emigrated to the United States from St. Lucia, an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be naturalized here, at Camp Lemonnier. It was very gracious of the camp leadership to do this.
Sonia Gulati, director, Nairobi Field Office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, said she has overseen these types of ceremonies for three years, but this was the first time she conducted one at Camp Lemonnier.
Truly this is one of the best parts of my job clearing individuals for citizenship who are so dedicated to America. I always end up with tears in my eyes, Gulati said.
Both Scott and Lara said they left their respective countries for a higher quality living standard as well as education. The two men made serving in the military a top priority when they arrived in the United States.
UT3 Kelan Scott (left), NMCB 5, and Sgt. Joel Lara, C Battery, 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, recite the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in front of fellow Soldiers and Sailors during a naturalization ceremony, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 25. Sonia Gulati (far right), director, Nairobi Field Office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, presided over the ceremony. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya