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Seabee Invited to White House
Story Number: NNS130404-11
4/4/2013
By Daryl C. Smith, 1st Naval Construction Division
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (NNS) -- After submitting his application for U.S. citizenship and completing the required exam, Equipment Operator Constructionman Recruit (EOCR) Jiang Liu had been waiting for months for the official notification that he was ready to take the oath of allegiance and become a U.S. citizen.
When the call finally came, it was coupled with a very special surprise -- an invitation to the White House to receive the oath and meet the President.
A member of Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202, based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Liu was one of 28 people from 26 countries invited to take part in the naturalization ceremony in the White House. He was one of 13 active duty service members participating.
"At first I was nervous. Then I was excited," he said.
Born in China, Liu immigrated to the U.S. six years ago with his parents, who now live in San Francisco. When he called them to tell them of the White House invitation, he said they were very happy and very proud.
His road to citizenship began when he enlisted in the Navy. He said that he was given the choice of various specialties, but Equipment Operator was the most interesting choice, so he joined the Navy. He completed "A" School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was assigned to CBMU 202.
Fellow Seabees there supported Liu's quest for U.S. citizenship by helping him study topics such as language, U.S. history and government and prepare for his exam after working hours. His biggest supporter was his immediate supervisor, Equipment Operator 2nd Class Benjamin Morrow. He noted that Liu's paperwork had been delayed because the Office of Homeland Security mistakenly sent it to Mississippi instead of Virginia, but if the delay had not happened, he would not have had the opportunity to go to the White House.
Because the phone call came on a Thursday, and the ceremony was the following Monday morning, CBMU 202 had to work fast to make arrangements for him to attend.
"This command made it a priority to get him up there," Morrow said.
Due to the short fuse, only one member of the unit could accompany him, and that was Morrow. Morrow made it a point to show Liu as many landmarks as possible when they arrived.
"We went to museums, the Vietnam Memorial, Navy Memorial and Lincoln Memorial," Liu said.
The next day, the 28 participants gathered in the White House's East Room, and the oath of allegiance was administered by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. President Obama shook each participant's hand and posed with them for photos.
During his remarks, President Obama said, "In each of you, we see the true spirit of America. And we see a bit of ourselves, too, because most of our stories trace back to moments just like this one ... to an ancestor who, ... like the men and women here today, raised their right hand and recited that sacred oath."
Noting the military members present, he said, "...every member of the military with us has shown incredible patriotism -- a willingness to risk their lives in defense of a nation that was not yet their own. And that's a remarkable act, and it made each of them one of us. It made each of them in some ways American, even before it was official, because that kind of service and sacrifice has defined our nation for more than two centuries."
For more news from Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division, visit www.navy.mil/local/1ncd/.