Celebrating U.S. Citizenship in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 4, 2009 — -- Vice President Joe Biden couldn't help himself. The irony was striking.

This Fourth of July the biggest naturalization ceremony ever of U.S. service members was hosted at one of Saddam Hussein's most opulent palaces. Biden said after the event, "We did it in Saddam's Palace, and I can think of nothing better. That S.O.B. is rolling over in his grave right now."

Celebrating tonight were 237 service members from 59 countries who took the oath. One of the happiest appeared to Jesus Moran-Alvarez of Santa Maria, Calif., who shook hands with Biden and Commanding General Ray Odierno.

"Vice President, was not expecting that. Four-star General, wow," said the 30-year-old Army specialist. "I'm a U.S. citizen. I'm proud as heck to say so," he added.

Moran-Alvarez and others flew to the massive Camp Victory near Baghdad's airport knowing they would take the oath, but few knew the vice president would be attending. All this on the Fourth of July made for a special occasion.

"In a sense, it's our independence. We can finally do what we are here to do. We can fight for our country. We can vote," says Mexico-born Moran-Alvarez. "It's amazing. It's a big, big privilege."

Biden started his speech with a simple statement that drew applause.

"You know as corny as it sounds, damn I'm proud to be an American. It's a wonderful thing," he said in the massive Al Faw Palace, which still has Saddam Hussein's initials carved in the ceiling. "I can't think of a more stirring example of patriotism than men and women volunteering to fight for their country, before, before they are citizens," said the vice president, who seemed impressed by the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen before him.

"You've struggled for us. You've bled for us. Your brothers and sisters have died for us. Even before you took the oath you were Americans," he said nearing the end of a two-day visit here.

Specialist Lua Mose proudly held the flag and certificate she was presented after taking the oath. She arrived in the U.S. from American Samoa at the age of 4.

"My whole life growing up I thought that I was already a citizen. I didn't realize that [I wasn't] until my older teenage years," says the Army specialist who works as a paralegal.

From the Seattle area, Mose has helped other soldiers prepare their packets for citizenship and realized she could do the same for herself. About a half dozen of her "clients" took part in the same ceremony.

Like so many, Mose looks forward to the right to vote, which so many Americans don't use.

"They don't exercise the rights and the privileges we can only dream of most of our lives," she says.

Moran-Alvarez is almost angry about apathy of his now-fellow countrymen.

"A lot of people have it and they choose not to vote. But they choose to complain about the things going on in our country," he says. "That's your way of making a difference. Take advantage. We're fighting to get that."

Biden pointed the diversity in the crowd.

"Every hue," he said. "You represent what America has always stood for: freedom, strength, resolve, but also the remarkable, remarkable diversity we represent."

Of those taking the oath, 50 are from Mexico, 18 from the Philippines and 12 from Iraq.

David Martinez is driving a HUMVEE here in Iraq. His family lives near Fresno, Calif. He didn't join the military to get his citizenship; he just sees it as a great fringe benefit. He's happy to finally have the official document.

"It means everything now. Defending the constitution, I've been to Iraq, I'm an American," says the soldier who may one day go into the corrections field.

Moran-Alvarez says now it's only his mother who doesn't have her citizenship and he will have to give her a nudge.

"Yes I was a Mexican. I take a lot of pride in that," he says. "But I've lived my whole life, damn near, in the United States and I can finally be, I am finally part of it, versus just in it."