Editor,
As our nation and our people prepare to remember and memorialize the seven years that have passed since the tragic events that terrorized our nation, I wanted to share an event all Americans should recall and contemplate, and, more importantly, feel grateful for living in the great nation we do.
On Sept. 1, I was in attendance as 192 service men and women took their oath of citizenship and became U.S. citizens. Those of us who are born with that special gift need to ponder what a fantastic accomplishment this was. These people were from so many different cultures and backgrounds, yet they all chose to wear our country's uniform and serve during this time of great uncertainty and conflict. While serving, they all continued the hard work required to one day be able to say, "I'm an American."
We who are born with that special moniker should reflect on the work and sacrifice required by these 192 new countrymen and then appreciate everything that is encompassed by the title "American." There is something very special about our nation and our way of life that makes not only the 192 people I witnessed, but so many more, desire to be American.
On the day of recollection of a tragedy, we all must reflect and memorialize, but we should also raise our heads high and recall with a renewed pride that our country is a nation that is free and full of opportunity. Our nation offers so much that even those not born here still want to wear our country's uniform, put themselves in harm's way and contribute in ways truly American. They do all of this so they can have the opportunity to raise their hand, take an oath and be changed forever. These new Americans can teach some very valuable lessons that some of us have forgotten.
Thomas M. Romero
UNM alumnus and
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U.S. Army soldier serving in Iraq
