Love and patriotism - spouse takes oath of allegiance, becomes naturalized American citizen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Kirsten Villamor said the oath of allegiance in front of family and friends at Middleton Hall, Feb. 13, making her the second military spouse to become a United States citizen on United Kingdom soil.
 
Master Sgt. Anthony Villamor, 352nd Operations Support Squadron radio maintenance and operations superintendant, watched his wife become a naturalized American citizen from the sidelines on his last official duty day in the Air Force. "I'm proud of you," he said later as he bear-hugged her.
 
"I have developed a strong sense of love and patriotism towards the United States of America," said Mrs. Villamor, who was born in Rodalben, Germany. "This is why I have decided to take this step now prior to Anthony's retirement." 

"There was no priming from me," Sergeant Villamor added. "Her decision to become a U.S. citizen was based on her heart. That's what makes it extra special for me." 

Mrs. Villamor attributed her desire to become an American to her experience within the military community and the acceptance she always received from her military family. 
Elliott Cook, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Field Office Director in London, administered the oath of allegiance.
 
"Her eyes started to tear up while she said the oath and mine did too," Mr. Cook said. "I knew if she started crying I'd probably cry as well." 

In addition to sending photos and filling out an application, citizenship applicants must pass a U.S. Civics test and a written test for the English language as well as undergo an interview and application review process. 

Lynn Ormesher-Imel became the first military spouse to become a naturalized U.S. citizen in the U.K. in October 2008, at RAF Lakenheath. It has only been since 2004 that the U.S. citizenship law has allowed foreign-born servicemembers to take the oath at military installations overseas. 

Spouses, on the other hand, still had to return to the U.S. to recite their citizenship oath until January 2008. Policy changed when an amendment to the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act allowed certain military spouses to become naturalized overseas where their family is currently stationed.
 
"The ball is rolling now," Mr. Cook said. "Since Kirsten put in her application, we have five more applicants in the U.K., and our headquarters in Rome has two applications. Our next ceremony is March 13, at RAF Lakenheath for three spouses." 

The backdrop for Mrs. Villamor's naturalization ceremony was an American flag, but not just any American flag. The flag prominently displayed at the front of the room was the flag that will be presented to her husband at his retirement ceremony Mar. 6. It was flown over the U.S. Capitol and Denver, Colo. He has served for 22 years with Kirsten by his side for the last 11. 

Mrs. Villamor hasn't decided what she wants to do when the family, including her son Marc David Weidler, moves back to the United States. She is remaining flexible now as her life is in the planning stages, though her options just got bigger. 

For more information on how to become a naturalized U.S. citizen visit the following Web site http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.