Pool Report: Biden at Naturalization Ceremony for American Soldiers

VPOTUS POOL REPORT
7-4-09
Naturalization Ceremony for American soldiers

Summary: 237 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen were sworn in to become American citizens. They are from 59 countries, mostly Mexico, Phillipines and – interestingly – Iraq.  (There were 12 Iraqis) Biden gave an emotional talk about diversity and pledged that the United States is ‘'on track'' to withdraw all troops by 2011. He said caring for troops abroad and at home is the only ‘'sacred obligation'' the United States has. And he mentioned the numbers of the war, citing figures for deaths, wounded and critically injured. (see  below)
“As corny as it sounds,'' he told the troops, "Damn I'm proud to be an American''
The ceremony was the largest naturalization ceremony ever conducted in Iraq, military officials say. Customs and immigration officials came from Rome, Ghana and Frankfurt came here to process the applications. The military says that with this ceremony, roughly 3000 service members will have become naturalized citizens.

The event took place in the soaring rotunda of the Aw Faw Palace, one of Saddam's grander places, which is now part of Camp Victory. The crystal chandelier was a sight to behold – a giant sparkling centerpiece surrounded by 16 smaller chandeliers, dangling from a from an ornate painted ceiling. There were three balconies; soldiers looked down from them; 16 black stone columns (granite? basalt?) encircled the room. The soldiers sat, in camouflage, on folding chairs, their weapons tucked neatly on the marble floor beneath their seats. A huge American flag – it looked about 50 feet long. An oversized throne , said to be Saddam's, sat on the side of the room, its seat worn from use. (perhaps from the Americans who have taken pictures in it.)

Here are the detailed remarks:
Odierno:
Said he could not think of a better day to naturalize American citizens than July 4, or a better place to do it than Iraq. He invoked the Statue of Liberty's famous phrase, “give me your tired your poor,'' adding, “to be honest I'm not so sure that its legendary inscription is applicable to this group here today, because when I look at the men and women sitting out in front of me here, im having a hard time because I don't see them in terms of tired, poor or huddled.” If had to write an inscription, he added, “I would say give me your best your brightest and your bravest. Give me your warriors your heroes who will enhance our great nation and strive to keep her free.'

One soldiers who served in the Mexican army; the Mendoza brothers, becoming citizens in the same place that their brother jose did two years ago. “Cherish these stories and hold on to your unique heritage,'' he told them.

The soldiers then took the oath, rising and raising their right hands to pledge:
“I hereby declare on oath that I absolutely and entirely renounce and (garbled) all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince potentate state or sovereign of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen, that I will support and defend the constitution and laws of the united states of America.'' The oath went on until the “So help me god,'' at which point a huge cheer rose up from the audience…Some of the soldiers seemed to choke back tears.

Biden:
He read from a teleprompter; I hadn't seen him do so before. A lot of color and some substance.
“As corny as it sounds, damn im proud to be an American. Thanks for choosing us, you are the reason why America is strong,'' he began.
He went on: “Theres always room for more Americans, always room for more Americans. It's the lifeblood of our country….you know over 50 countries represented here today, men and women, black and asian, Hispanics''
He went on to recount a story that he said was not part of his formal remarks from when he was in Kosovo. Milosevic had just capitulated, biden said, and he had a kosovar driver who was “very rpoud to drie a united states senator around” They headed out over a rutted and muddy road, and they saw a lot of construction. “America, America'' the driver said, pointing to all the activity. Then at a checkpoint they came upon a female colonel, a black captain a white sergeant and a Hispanic private, Biden said. “and I pointed and I said, no theres America that's America and until you understand it here, youll never be free.”

To the soldiers: “you are the source of our freedom, you and all who came before you. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.''
He wen ton: “What a sight you are today. What a powerful symbol for the rest of the world you are.”   Said he could not think of “a more stirring example of patriotism.''

He said he was reminded on the fourth of July of the founding fathers. “And yes as of today they're your founding fathers so get used to it guys, they're your founding fathers.''

He also made note of what they have missed “birthdays and birth, first steps and first ocmmunions and you've lost comrades.'' And he mentioned the numbers of the war: 4,322 fallen. Over 30,000 wounded, 17,000 critically injured.

He also spoke of current events here: “Last week we made good on a commitment to withdraw American combat troops from Iraqi cities. Next summer our combat troops will leave Iraq itself and we will be on track to remove all us forces from iraq at the end of 2011.''

He said the mission would change as troops draw down, and that he and the president have “absolute ocnfidence'' in the troops and in Odierno, whose name he mispronounced, for at least the second time on this trip, as “O-dee-ah-no”
He also promised to give troops what they need to do their jobs and to take care of them when they come home, calling it the only ‘'sacred obligation'' the United States has.

He spoke of America's “remarkable remarkable diversity.'' Biden spoke softly throughout but toward the end of his talk, he began shouting, booming into the microphone as he said, “We are not defined by our ethnicity , we are not defined by our religion……we are defined as Americans, by the sacred commitment you swore today, to uphold and defend the united states of America.''

Growing emboldened, and still shouting, he went on, “You are an object lesson for the Iraqis, you are an object lesson for all citizens of the world.'' And then his voice softened: “You are an object lesson in what it takes to truly have freedom”

At the end of his reamarks, one by one, the soldiers' names were read aloud and they were called to the podium to receive their neatly folded American flags, shake the vice president's hand and pose for photographs. He looked happy (still dressed in the same khaki suit as yesterday) as he shook their hands.
They said the pledge, the band boomed some each services' anthem (“From the Halls of Montezuma…” Anchors Aweigh) . And then it was over.