Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg recognized by USCIS
Defense Media Activity - Army Productions
Nov. 23, 2016 | 29:15
Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg recognized by USCIS as an Outstanding American by Choice at special naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016.
TRANSCRIPT:
Retired Army Capt. Florent "Flo" Groberg
"This is a great day," he said. "I am so honored to be here. I know this is a day that you will never forget. This is a moment in your life that you worked so hard for, and you deserve. You've earned it. But now comes that responsibility of being just great citizens. I didn't speak English until I was 12 years old. I was born in France. When I became a naturalized citizen in 2001, I didn't truly understand what that meant at that moment. I was young. But when I put on that uniform and served our country -- it is our country, you can say that now, and it's pretty awesome -- I understood what it meant to call myself an American. When I was overseas fighting with our nation's finest, when I got see the capabilities and the heart and passion that they have for each other, I understood what it meant to be an American. And when I lost my friends, specifically on Aug. 8, 2012, when I felt that pain, it reminded me of why this is the greatest country in the world, because of its people, because of our history. We stand up, while others run. We face our struggles head on. And when we get knocked down, we get back up. You are part of this family, this is your country, just like it is my country, just like it is the director's country, and the Secretary of the Army's country. If a kid from Poissy, France, who didn't speak English, gets to have an opportunity to meet the President of the United States at the White house it should tell you a little bit about this country: anything is possible if you work for it. You are now in a position where you can change not only your life, but the lives of your families and your community. Never settle, always seek to be more and do more. You've made it here. Now let's continue on this journey together. Let's go out there and serve our communities. If you want to serve in the Armed Forces, then do it. I did it. And I loved it. I learned so much more about myself and about the importance of calling myself an American as well. I didn't get to appreciate it the way you get to appreciate it, when I was 17 years old. Today I get to spend and share this moment with you and I am just honored. I am honored to call you my peers. I am honored to be in your presence, because I know how hard you worked for this. And I know that you will cherish this moment for the rest of your lives. I know you have an opportunity in front of you to become greater than you ever expected, and you can do it, because this is the land of opportunity. If I am in front of you right now, speaking to you, it's because I was given a chance, and I worked for it, and every single day I'm going to try to earn it. So for that, my fellow Americans, my brothers and sisters, my friends, what an honor! Smile, be happy, and get out there and change the world. You can do it. If you made it here, you can do anything. Hooah!"
Read the story:
https://www.army.mil/article/178644/strength_of_america_evident_in_faces_of_new_citizens_army_secretary_says
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