"I'm Proud To Be An American Soldier And Now An American Citizen"

Gursewak Singh was working as a truck driver in his home country of India when he decided to immigrate to the United States and enlist in the U.S. Army. On November 7, after more than a year of service to our country, he was naturalized. "I'm proud to be an American soldier, and now an American citizen. In the military I learned the honor of unity, respect, and beauty. These same values are at the core of American citizenship. It is our responsibility to contribute positively to the community, uphold the law, and make a better future for all."

Singh became an American citizen during a ceremony held in Storer Auditorium on the Onondaga Community College campus. He was one of 80 candidates for citizenship from 39 countries who were sworn in by the U.S. Magistrate Judge Honorable David E. Peebles. The countries of origin of the new citizens included Afghanistan, Argentina, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Somalia, South Korea, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vietnam.

The naturalization ceremony was covered by several local media outlets including Syracuse.com, CNY Latino, WRVO Radio, and television stations CNY Central, Spectrum, and WSYR TV.