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Marines serving in Iraq gain citizenship

by Erik Villagran

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment made another strong commitment to the United States.

Marines from Camp Fallujah, Iraq, stand together for a moment shortly after they received their citizenship. Staff Sgt. Tudor K. Lawrence (back-right), a 27-year-old convoy commander, Cpl. Robert M. Molato (front-left), a 22-year-old warehouse clerk, and Lance Cpl. Juan J. Lagos, a 22-year-old motor transport operator, all assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, became U.S. citizens Nov. 11. Each Marine waited more than a year to become a citizen. (photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran)

Three Marines from Headquarters and Service Company participated in a ceremony Nov. 11 to receive U.S. citizenship. It was the culmination of a long journey for each of them.

"I've been waiting for this for four and a half years," said Staff Sgt. Tudor K. Lawrence, a 27-year-old convoy commander from Tampa, Fla. "I was nervous before the ceremony."

Lawrence, Cpl. Robert M. Molato, a warehouse clerk, and Lance Cpl. Juan J. Lagos, a motor transport operator, traveled to Camp Victory in Baghdad to receive their citizenship.

"The ceremony was held in a palace," said Lagos, a 22 year old from Mocksville, N.C. "It was real nice and there were a lot of dignitaries at the ceremony."

They were each given a final interview to ensure nothing had changed since they initially applied for citizenship and to confirm they truly wanted to swear in. After performing a practice run, they officially swore their allegiance to the United States.

"I had goose bumps when I swore in," Lagos said. "I was swearing to be loyal to a country I love."

Lawrence is originally from Dominica, a small island in the Caribbean. He began his application for citizenship in February 2005.

"It was a relief to finally get it done," Lawrence said. "It was exciting because the opportunities it will open for me."

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