European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 5, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                              Page 4 stars and stripes Mideast edition july 2007 troops raise their hands and swear the oath of allegiance to the United states As they become naturalized citizens during the raising their hands More than 500 troops reenlist in Iraq 160 become americans photos by Drew and stripes Jason of and his Yelixa of were among More than 500 troops who reenlisted wednesday during a special july fourth ceremony at Camp More than 160 service members from 54 countries also became naturalized citizens during the by Drew Brown stars and stripes Baghdad when Jason Mawhorr and Yelixa Mawhorr first deployed to Iraq in they didst think they would be seeing much of each so when the Opportunity came for Hus band and both soldiers with the a mys 3rd infantry to reenlist to they jumped at the we didst think we would have the Chance to deploy said of so while we were we decided it was something to take advantage the who have two children at Home with Yelixa both reenlisted for six More years in the army it was another they in what they both Hope will be Long and successful Ca Reers in the husband and wife were among 500 service members who reenlisted wednes Day at one of Saddam Hussein former pal at Camp adjacent to Bagh dad International the massive cer during which 160 troops from 54 countries also became was the biggest of its kind to take place in the fact that the ceremony took place on july exactly 4v2 years to the Date when they met at fort also made the Day a special said of we believe that the family who Reen lists together stays she David the top com Mander in presided Over the Ceredo John and Lindsay were guest key note who spent More than six years in Captivity during the Vietnam War and who is now seeking the Republican presidential praised the troops for their sense of duty and their commitment to the Mission in we have incurred a debt today that we can never repay in Mccain what you have done for we can never do for although the country is deeply divided Over the and Congress is pressuring president Bush to Start bringing troops support from the american people for its service members has not Mccain told the the War has divided the american peo but it has not diminished americas admiration for he Graham led the troops As they recited the pledge of a videotaped Mes Sage from Bush called the Day a defining event for those soldiers who just be come Bush the United states is not Only your Home it is your Bush message was followed by country Singer Lee Greenwood classic song proud to be an which became famous in during the first Iraq soldiers then stood at attention and saluted As a speaker read out the names of each of the 50 states and the dates they joined the Cannon fire boomed out Over the loudspeakers after each state and Date was called the troops cheered loudly when their Home states were shouts of Hookah echoed throughout the mar ble tiled after the Rick commander of the army 3rd in Fantry moved from one Small group of soldiers to congratulating those who just reenlisted and those who had just become new More than 180 soldiers from 3rd infantry Divi Sion reenlisted in the ceremony 37 of them gained their its an amazing in the Middle of a combat for these Guys to raise their right hand and decide to stay in the Lynch people ask How you do he you do it because its email Drew Brown at  Bush defends Iraq buildup in speech to troops in by Deb Riechmann the associated press president Bush on wednesday de fended the military build up in Iraq in a patriotic fourth of july saying Victory will re quire More More Cour age and More however difficult the fight is in we must win Bush telling members of the West Virginia air National guard that he admires the valor of americas fighting men and women but that now is no time to we must succeed for our own for the Security of our Citi Zens we must support our we must support the iraqi govern ment and we must defeat Al Aida in he defended the inva Sion in Iraq to a Friendly audience that cheered the toppling of Sadd am Hussein As Well As Bush decision in january to Send More troops to Iraq to try to tamp Down on the violence and encourage the iraqis to reach Politi Cal agreements among sunnis and the offensive in Baghdad and areas to the North and South has Pablo Martinez president from 2nd Bill from Bel Wayne l from Paw and staff Timothy Hageny from Berkeley during his visit wednesday to West Virginia air National guard 167th Airlift Wing to Mark Independence Day in boosted american Al though the number of bombings and shootings has fallen in the City in recent its a Tough but i  have asked those troops to go into harms Way if the fight was not essential to the Security of the United states of Bush said of the More than 4yearold War that has claimed the lives of Over ser in the administration was highlighting a ceremony where More than 500 who have fought in reenlisted in the armed forces and a Hun dred of their comrades raised their right hands to recite an oath making them citizens of the United difficulties however shiites and kurd said wednesday that they have not been Able to agree to a draft Bill to regulate the country Oil Industry something officials Hope will rally sunni support for the government and reduce backing for the Oil Bill is a top concern of Iraq sunni which is entered in regions of the country with Little proven re serves and fears that shiites and kurd in the Oil Rich South and North will monopolize profits from the Bush thanked the servicemen Bers serving abroad and their including children at the event who recited the pledge of allegiance with he read from a 1777 newspaper article about an Independence Day Celebration in Philadelphia where people fired toasted democracy and watched fireworks that illuminated the were still and rightly Bush about including members of the 167th Airlift Wing and their were invited to the on the other Side of the West Virginia patriots for who Are critical of the Bush administration and its handling of the scheduled a protest against the presidents invite Tio Only appearance at the 167th Airlift the fourth is not going to go by with this Guy coming in Here and no voices coming Back at said the Jim a member of the group and a Veter an i was told it was a closed of that it was for the families and a few invited Treyve iced us Lewis the pub Lic needs to know that this is certainly an isolated after the Bush was re turning to the White House to watch fireworks and celebrate his 61st birthday on i told her to fire up the Bush said he told first lady Laura who did not