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By John Toler
Rappahannock News StafT Writer
Early in the war in Iraq, two U.S. Marines wounded in combat in Iraq were awarded something else in addition to their Purple Hearts: American citizeriship.
President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were present when Master Gunnery Sgt. Guadalupe Denogean, 42, a native of Mexico, and Lance Cpl. Oj J. Santamaria, 20, a Filipino, took the oath of citizenship.
The president was the first to greet the men as “my fellow Americans.” It was a proud moment for all, but many people are surprised to learn that U.S. citizenship is not a prerequisite for serving in our military.
Recalling the draft
This fine ceremony reminded me of my early military experiences in the late 1960s, during the Vietnam War.
The draft was an issue for all young men in America, including foreign nationals who were here as students, or living with their families. They had to be registered, and when the time came, they received draft notices along with the rest of us.
While a number of these men enlisted, many just waited until their deferments ran out and they received their induction notices.
At that point, they could either show up for their physical exam and see what happened next, or make a hasty return to their native country.
My deferment over, I enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard in November,
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