GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Army Spc. Carlos Baptista of the Rhode Island Army National Guard’s 115th Military Police Company dreamed of becoming an America citizen since he left the island country of Cape Verde, off the coast of Africa, when he was just 4 years old.
Twenty years later, that dream became a reality when he took the U.S. Oath of Allegiance while deployed here with Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
Completing the process to become an American citizen has earned Baptista his 15 minutes of fame.
This accomplishment makes Baptista justifiably proud – and his parents, too.
“I know this brings a big smile to my parents’ faces," Baptista said, with a smile of his own, shortly after taking the oath that officially made him a citizen of the country he’d already sworn to support and defend almost four years ago.
Along with Baptista, Army Sgt. Ardicio Galvao and Navy Machinist Mate 3rd Class Jo Kurosu received their citizenship during the naturalization ceremony.
Baptista joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard Sept. 11, 2006, and he made it clear it was no coincidence he joined on that date.
While getting his citizenship has always been a goal, it was easier said than done.
“I’ve always been very busy, but I needed to start working on my citizenship," Baptista said. “[I had to] get it while in Cuba to come on this deployment. I was really lucky to have so many people help me. My command gave me the time I needed to study and prepare."
Army Capt. Nicolas Pacheco, 115th MP Company commander, said he’s glad to see his Soldier’s hard work pay off.
“He was very passionate and dedicated," Pacheco said. “We were all proud to see him raise his hand in the first recorded naturalization ceremony in Guantanamo Bay."
Baptista mentioned two of his former officers, whom he said were instrumental in encouraging him to pursue his dream of citizenship. Army Maj. Samuel Maldonado and Army Capt. Alex Arroyo “gave a lot of their spare time to help me get everything done properly," Baptista said. “They didn’t have to help, but I’m glad they did."
Baptista never went too long without looking down at the American flag in his hands, the one he was presented during the ceremony. A flag he said will be safely sent home and respected.
Now that he’s an American citizen, Baptista said he’s glad he can do things he couldn’t before, such as applying a security clearance and an American passport, and apply to bring more of his family to the country he’s called home for most of his life.
“I always felt like something was missing," Baptista said. “But now that I’m an American citizen, I feel complete."