CAMP MABRY, Texas -- Under somber rainy skies, in front of a replica Vietnam Memorial Wall, 13 service members took the Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens Among the new Americans was Senior Airman Ivanna Leininger-Riedlova, 74th Aerial Port Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, who left behind her Czech citizenship U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel gave the Oath of Allegiance during the small ceremony, which was part of the weekend-long American Heroes Air Show here. Airman Leininger-Riedlova said her husband, who is an Army medic, encouraged her to join the Air Force. "I was 32 when I enlisted in May '08 here in San Antonio," she said. While she acknowledged it was difficult to leave the Czech Republic and never thought she would be an American citizen, she is glad she did. "I have goals," she said. "I want to be a linguist." Airman Leininger-Riedlova said, "I just wanted to be part of fighting for freedom." (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)
Under rainy Austin skies, an Air Force Reservist became a United States citizen. In front of U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel, and in the company of 12 other service members, Senior Airman Ivana Leininger-Riedlova, 74th Aerial Port Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, raised her right hand and took the Oath of Allegiance, leaving her Czech citizenship behind. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)