Airman takes oath, seals allegiance to American flag

  • Published
  • By Capt. Lisa Citino
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In a 24-year span and thousands of miles across the Atlantic, one Airman reached the final stretch in pursuit of his freedom--the American way.

Among a sea of others native to foreign lands, Airman 1st Class Shimon B. Perez-Conde (Gonzalez), of the 96th Air Base Wing Contracting Squadron, raised his hand and with humility and honor was sworn in as an American citizen June 23.

"I wanted to become a citizen, because I love the U.S. and knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life here," said Airman Perez-Conde. "I have been traveling all over the world since I was young, and the U.S. is the best country to live in...the only country where I could accomplish my dreams."

At a  federal courthouse in Pensacola, Fla., Airman Perez-Conde stood shoulder to shoulder with approximately 90 others with permanent resident status in the United States, who came from European nations, Africa, Central America, New Zealand and other faraway places, among them a U.S. Marine from Honduras. Hands raised and resolute, they pledged their loyalty to a nation and Constitution that would promise opportunities and rewards many have sacrificed life and limb for.

With a deluge of emotions, Airman Perez-Conde's moment of affirmation was overwhelming.

"You don't do that often...just once in your life," he said.

Although Perez-Conde was born in South America, he hung his hat in Spain since the tender age of four. 

During his teenage years, his father moved to Miami, where Airman Perez-Conde spent summers and occasional holidays until he reached 21 and decided to relocate there with his father. He lived under permanent status before applying for naturalization.

In 2007, Airman Perez-Conde joined the Air Force and like many recruits before him enlisted under the delayed entry program. In March of 2008, he left for basic military training, followed by technical school--both at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. 

Independence Day would coincidently mark his BMT completion--a day more profound than he could have imagined. Formerly scheduled to graduate July 8, a four-day break brought an earlier graduation date. Airman Perez-Conde would later describe this coincidence as his destiny.

Becoming a U.S. citizen was at the forefront of his mind long before he enlisted in the Air Force. His military service afforded him a shorter term required to live in the U.S. In contrast to countless residents, who must wait several years before they can merely begin the application process, the process took fewer than two years for Perez-Conde as a U.S. military member.

According to U.S. Customs and Immigration laws, most people become citizens in one of two ways: by birth, either within the territory of the U.S. or to U.S. citizen parents, or by naturalization. Airman Perez-Conde would embark on the latter to achieve probably the most coveted status our government can bestow.

Some requirements for U.S. service members are either reduced or completely waived. Under service in peacetime or wartime, qualifying service members and certain veterans are not required to pay an application fee. Nor are they required to demonstrate proof of residency in the U.S. Additionally, service members who serve during specifically designated periods of hostilities may not need to be lawful permanent residents.

Initially uncertain whether or not his father would attend the ceremony in Pensacola, Airman Perez-Conde appreciated sharing his success with his extended Air Force family in the contracting office. Among a diverse group of onlookers, families and friends, his commander, first sergeant and co-workers observed the symbolic moment that embodied life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with every hand simultaneously raised.

Airman Perez-Conde's father, the owner of a medical supplies business in Miami, did attend the ceremony after all. The Airman is the first U.S. citizen in his family but he certainly will not be the last. According to Airman Perez-Conde, his father will soon begin his endeavor to become a U.S. citizen.

A Spanish native, avid traveler and fighter aircraft enthusiast, Airman Perez-Conde studied in Madrid and received his degree in engineering and is currently enrolled at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University here to pursue his bachelor's in management.

"I joined the Air Force because I love fighter jets, and I enjoy being around them," Perez-Conde said. "I am really passionate about those aircraft and would like to be an officer and a pilot."

Until then, Perez-Conde will continue to work as a contracting specialist, providing oversight for the government purchasing program. Responsible for the air armament center, six wings and associate major commands and their organizations, as well as other service components (Army and Navy) here, he manages and inspects the program and authorizes, issues, tracks and maintains purchasing cards and accounts.

"Airman Perez-Conde Gonzalez is one of contracting's most outstanding Airmen and a model for our young Airman to follow," said Maj. Harry T. Loughran, commander of the 96th CONS. "He has earned the respect of his peers and supervisors here at the 96th Contracting Squadron, and we are proud to call him an American citizen."

Days following his ceremony, visitors could step into the new American's workspace, amidst rows of adjoined cubicles, where an assortment of balloons--all advertising the patriotic red, white and blue--would greet them.

This year U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, under the Department of Homeland Security, will commemorate America's 233rd birthday by naturalizing more than 6,000 citizenship candidates in approximately 50 special ceremonies held across the U.S. and overseas. Five of these ceremonies are for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. For additional information on becoming a U.S. citizen, visit the USCIS at www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.