C.A.R.E. Fair 2019 is coming
Page 3 Vol. 48, No. 10, August 2019
Serving the Greater Stuttgart Military Community
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The administration of the Oath of Allegiance is conducted by Roland Lyons, USCIS field office director, during a naturalization ceremony for 12 military and spouse candidates from around Germany at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart's Panzer Community Club, July 18.
Naturalization ceremony celebrates 12 new citizens Story and photos by Holly DeCarlo-White USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs
Individuals from the Philippines, Ivory Coast, Poland, Mexico, Thailand, Ghana and Germany took the Oath of Allegiance and officially became American citizens. Juan Aguilar, USAG Stuttgart Passport Office sang the National Anthem followed by the administration of the Oath of Allegiance conducted by Roland Lyons, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office director. "It's a very special moment in time and I am excited to be part of it," said Col. Jason W. Condrey, USAG Stuttgart commander, during the opening remarks.
Keynote speaker Patricia Chang, Stuttgart Law Center volunteer attorney and civilian spouse, shared her own immigration story. Chang provides immigration consultation at the legal center on Kelley Barracks using her education and personal experiences to help others through the process. "I know how hard this journey has been. Be strong, because I know your pain," Chang said. Many of the individuals present at the ceremony began the process to become American citizens several years ago. Military travels were mentioned by ceremony participants as a common cause for delay. Separation of families can also occur at months on end during the process. Chang spoke
to being separated from her husband for five months as she waited in Taiwan for her visa to come through. Harriet Boateng, a Stuttgart military spouse born in Ghana, said that the process took her five years. Boateng began the application while in the U.S.; she arrived in Stuttgart one year ago. "It's been quite a journey, but all through it, I am happy that today I am finally a U.S. citizen and it's a blessing," Boateng said. Spc. Lady Diane Villanueva, 317th Maintenance Company, also began the process in the U.S. before being stationed in Baumholder, Germany. Villanueva attributed her positive journey to U.S. citizenship to patience, help from her military
leadership and the USCIS. "It takes a while, just have patience to do it, especially in the military, everything will go smoothly you just have to wait, be a good Soldier and service member, there is no other reason why you serve the military, why you serve America," Villanueva said. Chang closed the ceremony with advice and encouragement for the new American citizens. "We have equal opportunity to chase our American dreams … treat one another with respect and at the same time enrich this country with your own tradition and culture," Chang said. "Today you start writing the next great chapter in our American story." See CEREMONY, p.3
USAG Stuttgart welcomes new commander Story and photos by John Reese USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs
In a change of command ceremony, Col. Jason W. Condrey assumed command of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart from Col. Neal A. Corson, July 10. The ceremony, hosted by Director Tommy R. Mize, Installation Management Command - Europe, took place under sunny skies on Washington Square, Patch Barracks. A joint-service flying V representing the sister services and major commands of the purple community, under the command of Capt. Carlie Wilson, Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, USAG Stuttgart took positions on the field along with a German-American color guard led by Command Sgt. Maj. Toese Tia, garrison senior enlisted leader. A U.S. Army Europe Band brass quintet playing martial music added a special ambiance to the ceremony. Mize noted the challenges faced by outgoing commander Corson, including the garrison’s support for two four-star commands with a mission footprint stretching to more than 100 countries from the Baltics to Southern Africa. “It takes a special type of leader to
successfully command any garrison,” Mize said. “But Stuttgart isn’t just any garrison. It is a garrison of immense importance that is the home of two of the Army’s six geographic combatant commands; the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.” Corson’s responsibilities extended beyond the gates of the garrison, where he worked closely with hostnation civic leaders and communities to develop and sustain trusting relationships, Mize said. “I thank everyone for being here today to celebrate the garrison accomplishment over the last
two years,” Corson said. “It’s been a great honor to be part of the USAG Stuttgart team and a true privilege to have been allowed to lead this amazing organization.” In thanking the local mayors, German military counterparts and garrison team members who supported him during his tenure, including his former battle buddy, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mariano Z. Alvarez, who flew in from stateside to attend, Corson offered a touching note of gratitude to his wife, Catty, and his daughters. See COMMANDER, p.2