Naturalized!

How appropriate was it for Malu to become a naturalized citizen on the day that we remember those who fell at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941?

Don't ask me why people born in American Samoa aren't automatically American citizens--it's something to do with them being U.S. nationals and yada yada yada. I don't want to bore anyone with the legal jargon that even I can't understand.  I mean, to this day I still can't remember why I had to become naturalized years ago even though I was born in Germany, on a military installation. For years, my parents got a kick out of the fact that they had "resident aliens" (my sister and I) in their home.

The Army has a program that allows Soldiers to become naturalized quickly...and for free! I mean, my mom paid hundreds of dollars just to naturalize my sister and I.  One of the many benefits of being in the military.

Unfortunately, Sina and I were unable to participate in the ceremony because we were sitting at home waiting for the packers to come.  What sucks is that the moving company tells you to be home from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and very rarely do they show up at 9 a.m.  Malu got home about an hour ago, and they still aren't here.  I'm sad that we missed it.  Malu was so happy when he got home.  He said that he started to choke up when he took his oath, thinking about us and all the people that he has met since he's been in the States (he got here when he was 13).  He thought of the many people he has served with in the Army--some who have died in combat.  And he thought about how great this Country is and how lucky he felt to live here...and to live freely. 

As I sit here, Malu is excitedly reading through all the pamphlets, forms and letters that received after the ceremony this morning.  He got two mini flags that he has been sitting here playing with.  Talk about being really excited to become a citizen.  And since I've never actually seen Malu in his Class A's in person before (can you believe it?) I thought that he should take a picture with his baby girl, who was totally loving all that color on his jacket.

So congratulations baby.  I am so thankful for your service to our Nation.  I am so proud to stand beside you as your wife and as a fellow Servicemember and naturalized citizen!

P.S.  Malu just told me that he is the first in his family to become a citizen.  Too cool.