MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's most prominent naturalized immigrant, visited Camp Pendleton Friday to preside over the largest military naturalization in the state's history.
More than 200 Marines and sailors from around the globe were granted citizenship at the South Mesa Staff Noncommissioned Officer's Club in a ceremony headed up by the actor-turned-governor.
Eduardo Aguirre, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, preceded the governor in addressing the gathering.
"Two-hundred and seven service men and women from 43 countries," he said, pinpointing the scope of the naturalization.
"I am privileged to celebrate this very personal and patriotic moment with you military members. I commend and support your choice to fully join the American family and am grateful for your support and sacrifice to your nation. To the families, we owe you a big round of applause. Ooh-rah," he added.
Aguirre became a citizen himself in 1970.
Schwarzenegger, who became a citizen in 1984, began his speech by joking about being on the installation and brief technical difficulties other speakers had.
"I haven't seen so much firepower since the making of Terminator 3," he said, "My (microphone) had better not go out, or else somebody is going to be terminated."
The governor then got serious and reflected on recent events at Camp Pendleton - specifically the loss of four Marines in a helicopter crash on base.
The Marines were memorialized the same day as the massive citizenship ceremony.
"For the past week, you have been mourning the loss of four Marines here at Camp Pendleton, a reminder of the risks you take every day to keep America safe," Schwarzenegger said.
"We honor their memory and their sacrifice. Today, our nation is under attack in a conflict different from any we have faced before. In the war on terror, the Armed Forces of America are serving, as our president said, on a frontline between freedom and fear. As you stand on the front line of our nation's security, you are providing hope to millions of people around the world living under tyranny and repression."
He then commended those being naturalized and recalled his own reasons for becoming a citizen.
"Your devotion to the United States is very special because this has not always been your home.
You came to the United States looking for a better life. I can relate to that, because I also came to the United States looking for a better life. What I have done for this country is nothing compared to what you are doing, because you are risking your lives," he said.
"By choice, you have come to this land, and by choice, you're fighting for this country, and that is extraordinary, and I want to applaud you for that," he said.
The Marines and sailors sworn in Friday are receiving accelerated citizenship because they're serving in the military during a period of armed conflict.
More than 13,000 military men and women have applied for citizenship since President Bush signed an executive order in July 2002 temporarily waiving the three-year residency requirement for military personnel.
Cpl. Andres H. Almaguer, a native of Mexico, said citizenship will help him with career advancement.
"(Citizenship) opens a whole new door to me," said Almaguer, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
"Even in the Marine Corps, a lot of jobs require citizenship. This will help me get my security clearance and get jobs after the Marine Corps," he said.
Gunnery Sgt. Edward J. Flores, S-3 chief for Combat Service Support Group 11, is retiring in May and says citizenship is coming too late to help him in his Marine Corps career. Nonetheless, the Ecuador native is ecstatic - calling citizenship "one of the greatest promotions" he's received so far.
E-mail Lance Cpl. Gadrow at GadrowJL@pendleton.usmc.mil
Lance Cpl. Mark A. Sixbey contributed to this story.