Article Contributed on: 3/20/2009 9:50:40 AM
DENVER - A deploying Colorado Guardsman became a naturalized citizen on March 18.
Pfc.
Osel Rengulbai, a Palau native, currently assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, Colorado Army National Guard, was among the more than 300 people hailing from 74 countries to become a naturalized citizen.
As a deploying soldier, Rengulbai's application fee was waived, his packet was pushed to the front of the line and, what would normally take upward of three years, took him only six months.
On March 5, he passed his written test and interview, which landed him a spot at the naturalization ceremony at Teikyo Loretto Heights University today.
He joined the Army National Guard in December 2004, only seven months after moving to the United States, to help pay for school. Upon the urging of his parents, family members and military command, he pursued becoming an American citizen.
In order for Rengulbai to propel his military career forward, he knew becoming a citizen was essential, he said.
"My [military occupational specialty] requires a security clearance," he said, which meant he'd have to become an American citizen.
He was the only uniformed service member at the naturalization ceremony. In the balcony above, also in uniform, were members from his section, his battery first sergeant and his battery executive officer.
"Although we have training to accomplish, it's equally important to pause and recognize our Soldiers' great achievements. Today is a historic day for Pfc. Rengulbai, and we are here to show our support," said 1st Sgt.
Ed Schwaigert, HHB first sergeant.
Mark Seigl, one of the ceremony's emcees, announced each country where all newly announced citizens hailed.
Standing among Afghans, Persians, Mexicans, Germans and Canadians, Rengulbai was the only person representing both the Colorado Guard and Palau.
Once all the nations were called, they had everyone take their seats except for current service members and veterans. Rengulbai was the only naturalized citizen to remain standing.
"It was great when they called us to the feet and they kept everyone in the military standing, and I was the only one to keep standing," he said proudly.
The event may have been short, but Rengulbai and his peers will carry the memories of the event for years to come.
"Rengulbai is part of the team, and as part of the team, we have to be there to support him because that's what we do. No matter what, thick and thin, we are going to be there for each other," said Sgt. 1st Class
David Garduque, Rengulbai's supervisor.
"When you say family, it's not just the family at home," said Rengulbai. "It's also the family you work with. It was one of the best things the section has ever done for me."
After the ceremony, Rengulbai was a magnet for photo requests. Other naturalized citizens wanted to get a photograph with the uniformed Soldier who just became an American citizen with them.
He posed with a refuge, now American citizen, from Bosnia and Herzegovina and a small business owner originally from Nepal, now residing in Colorado Springs. Even children of parents who were just naturalized wanted a photograph with the soldiers.
"It means a lot to me for a person to not just be an American by birth but to be one by choice. He chose the military, he chose this country," said Lt. Col. Al Morris, battalion commander, after coining him during formation.
"Pfc. Rengulbai is one of thousands of citizen-soldiers who believe in this country, its values and the American dream," said Capt.
Ashkan Angha, HHB battery commander, who is first generation Persian-American. "I'm proud of him for being among the many who have taken the oath to protect and serve this great nation."
"Now I can actually say I am an American and that I am proud," said Rengulbai. "It's like piece-by-piece coming together," he said about being a Soldier and now a citizen.
"I want to thank the section - 1st Sgt. Schwaigert, Sgt. 1st Class Garduque and Staff Sgt. Garcia," he said. "They came with me on this whole journey of becoming a U.S. citizen. And, I'd like to thank my parents -- they were pushing me to become a citizen because they knew it would help me in the long run."