| PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
Story and photos by PA3 Sandra Bartlett, D7 Public Affairs MIAMI - Phidias Edoh, stood proudly in his uniform Aug. 11. A third class petty officer, he held his right hand over his heart, while the other clenched a miniature American flag. It was a proud moment as he pledged allegiance to the United States as an American citizen.
HS3 Phidias Edoh (AirSta Miami) holds his hand over his heart during his naturatlization ceremony, making him an American citizen.
Before long, he had done research on every branch.
"I liked the mission of the Coast Guard the most of all the services," he said, hints of a French accent punctuating his response. "Saving lives, drug interdiction--those things are pertinent to everyday life."
Following boot camp, he reported to Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, Fla. He now serves as a health service technician at Air Station Miami, in Opa Locka, Fla. Since his arrival in January 2004, Edoh made it clear to his command that one of his goals was to become a naturalized citizen. His supervisor, Master Chief James B. Amster, administrator of Air Station Miami's medical clinic, made Edoh's pursuit a personal project as well.
"Edoh is a great asset to the Coast Guard," Amster said proudly. "He is bilingual [French and English], which is helpful with our communications during alien migrant interdiction operations, particularly Haitian. Aside from that, it's a pleasure having him at this unit."
Foreign nationals in the U.S. military are not uncommon. Any citizen of another country is eligible for enlistment as long as they legally reside in the U.S. and possesses an Immigration and Naturalization Service Alien Registration Card, more commonly known as a "green card." They must also be able to read and write English, as well as meet the same physical, mental and moral standards for enlistment.
More than a year ago, another Coast Guardsman pledged her allegiance for the first time. Petty Officer 3rd Class Vivian Eddy of Marine Safety Office Charleston, was formerly a Philippine national. She was sworn in at a small office in downtown Charleston, S.C., as she approached the end of her four-year enlistment.
Eddy arrived in the U.S. in 1989. During her senior year in high school, she was involved in a shadow program with the MSO in Providence, R.I. There, she developed a taste for marine safety and for the Coast Guard. Enlisting in 1999, she reported to Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, homeported in Key West, Fla. By May 2001, she had reported to MSO Charleston where her pursuit of naturalization began.
"I felt American, and I had been Americanized," she said. "All I wanted was proof that I was naturalized," she said. Nothing made her prouder than to show her shipmates her certificate last year, she said.
Edoh's ceremony differed from Eddy's because it involved a massive number of foreign nationals reporting to the Miami Beach Convention Center. The swearing in ceremony took place over the course of two days. In that time, more than 9,000 foreign nationals became U.S. citizens, several military members among them. However, Edoh was the only Coast Guardsman. He recalls the convention center filling with the song, "Proud to be an American," as big-screen televisions flashed images of everyday American life.
At the song’s conclusion, Edoh proudly grinned and joined the crowd in waving a miniature American flag in the air. Edoh compared his naturalization to being the recipient of a very important medal.
"I feel like I'm more a part of the team," he said, “Like I've been 100 percent integrated into the service. Now…I'm an American."
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