Beale Air Force Base, Calif. –
Each year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States.
Since September of 2001, more than 64,000 military members have completed the citizenship process, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
On Sept. 16, 2011, Senior Airman Adam Hamar, a 940th Wing Reservist from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., joined that number, taking his Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony at the Airman and Family Readiness Center on Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
"It was a big day for my family," Hamar said, adding it was 'interesting timing' when he realized Constitution and Citizenship Day is Sept. 17.
A Public Affairs specialist with the 940th Wing, Hamar joined the Air Force Reserves two years ago as a Hungarian national. His parents had immigrated to the United States for political reasons when he was only seven years old.
"Basically, I grew up here, so I never thought of myself as anything other than an American," Hamar said. "I guess it wasn't that important to me until I joined the Air Force."
Hamar's parents were in the audience to see their son become a U.S. citizen.
"We're so proud, so proud of Adam," Hamar's father said. The older Hamar had spent three years serving in the Hungarian army as a young adult.
"It was time for him to become a citizen. It does matter for him now. And he'll be perfect for the U.S.," said Hamar's mother, who became a U.S. citizen herself in 2000.
The Hamars are especially pleased their son is serving in the military.
"We're so proud Adam is in the Air Force," his mother said. "You can have a future with the military."
"We came to the United States for a better life for our children," she added. "Today really was a big step for Adam in making a better life for himself. We are so very, very proud."