Airmen sworn in as American citizens

  • Published
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Five Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing became U.S. citizens Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. in a ceremony at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, S.D; thirty-three people in all, from 20 different countries, were naturalized at the historic landmark.

The ceremony began at the monument's Grand View Terrace under the direction of the U.S. District Court of South Dakota. Dignitaries from U.S. District Courts, Department of Homeland Security and the S.D. Army National Guard took part in the ceremony, administering the oath of allegiance and proclamations of Citizenship.

Four of the five Airmen work for the Air Force Financial Services Center; the fifth works for the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Airman 1st Class Ronald Fallarna, AFFSC military pay technician, said he will always be proud of his native Philippines, but becoming a citizen is right for him.

"Joining the Air Force gave me the opportunity to become a citizen much faster," he said, "and the opportunities in this country are better than anywhere in the world -- I can help my family more by being here."

These feelings were echoed by one of the AFFSC members who took the oath of allegiance.

"Becoming an American citizen means I will be able to sponsor my mother and have the option of reenlisting in the Air Force or pursing other jobs only offered to Americans," said Airman 1st Class Sanaka Patrick, AFFSC temporary duty technician. "It gives me the opportunity to reach or surpass my goals without any barriers."