Naturalization ceremony grants Luke Airman citizenship Published July 11, 2010 By Maj. Richelle Dowdell Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq Public Affiars CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- A recent naturalization ceremony took place in Al Faw Palace here recognizing a new group of American citizens, including a first-term Airman deployed from the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Amidst a green sea of 155 Soldiers, Airman 1st Class Johanz San Pedro, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, took the Oath of Citizenship in a ceremony attended by Vice President Joe Biden; his wife, Dr. Jill Biden; and Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq. Backed by a ceiling-high U.S. flag, Biden congratulated the nation's newest citizens -- who represented all branches of service and 56 different countries -- calling them a "remarkable" group. Biden said he couldn't think of a more stirring example of patriotism than men and women volunteering "to fight for their country, to put their lives on the line -- and some of your brethren, having lost their lives and limbs -- to fight on foreign soil for their adopted country." Airman San Pedro, a Filipino, earned the distinction of being the only U.S. Airman to participate in the Camp Victory naturalization ceremony. "When I was back in the Philippines, I knew very early that it would be important to be a U.S. citizen," said Airman San Pedro. "Being a U.S. citizen opens more doors for me and allows me to do more things with my career, like re-enlist and finish school." He says he owes a large part of his citizenship to his parents. "They inspired me to be better and go further than I could dream," Airman San Pedro said. "I have just taken the first steps." The deployed Airman says he would like to eventually become a medical specialist.