Consul General Gives Keynote Speech at Naturalization Ceremony

On October 28, Consul General Thomas G. Reich addressed a naturalization ceremony conducted at Camp Foster, Okinawa for 89 service members.

In his speech, CG Reich noted that each of the new American citizens had a unique story to tell about how they arrived in the United States. "Whatever the case, today's naturalization ceremony will be a milestone in your lifetime. You walked in this building as Filipinos, Mexicans, Moldovians - citizens of other nations. You will leave as Americans."

He also stressed that the oath each was about to take should not be taken lightly. "With your American citizenship comes benefits as well as responsibilities," Reich emphasized. "The benefits you know - Living in the world's greatest democracy ... where everyone has a chance to succeed. The most obvious responsibility of citizenship - that you are performing even now as non-U.S. citizens - is the defense of the United States, our freedoms, our rights, our nation. Another responsibility you will have as new American citizens is to participate in our democracy by, for example, voting. For our democracy is not static. It has been constantly changing for close to 230 years to meet the needs of its people and times."

The Consul General concluded by thanking the men and women of the U.S. armed forces for all they are doing to defend freedom and democracy in the United States and around the world.