Seven-year-old at Yokosuka is first child to get citizenship under new rule

[unhappycamper]

Martin Ulsano, 7, poses with servicemembers and spouses who received their certificates of naturalization at a ceremony Friday at Yokosuka Naval Base. Also in the group is U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires James P. Zumwalt.


Seven-year-old at Yokosuka is first child to get citizenship under new rule
By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, March 2, 2009

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The most noticeable of the 72 people with hands raised for the U.S. oath of citizenship Friday stood barely higher than the pews Friday at Yokosuka’s Chapel of Hope.

Martin Miles Ulsano, 7, became the first child to take the oath since the 2008 Defense Authorization Act allowed family members of servicemembers to become citizens overseas, according to officials.

Ulsano was born on Yokosuka Naval Base and already had the right to citizenship, said his father, Petty Officer 2nd Class Caesar Ulsano. However, making it official is important to the family, he said.

"He’s been raised in American ways his whole life," said Caesar Ulsano, a Filipino-American who became naturalized in 2004 and is now based with the USS Harpers Ferry at Sasebo Naval Base after previous tours at Yokosuka.

Martin’s mother, Eugeline, also is processing paperwork to become a citizen.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61054

[Captain Hilts]

1. Great article. And great to see sailors looking like sailors! nt