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Man takes oath so he can train for SEALs
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Jun 13, 2009
Andrey Savvin wants to put his life on the line for a country that has been his for all of 24 hours.
Savvin, who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States Friday morning, said it has been his dream to be a member of the elite Navy unit, the SEALs.
Until the 20-year-old from the Ukraine became a U.S. citizen, his dream was just that — a dream.
''I've been getting ready physically and mentally for three years,'' Savvin said moments after receiving his certificate of naturalization, along with 48 other new citizens at the Akron-Summit County Public Library in downtown Akron.
''I've been swimming, running, doing push-ups, every day.''
The Stow resident runs in combat boots — the better to prepare for the demanding physical test, he said.
Friday, he passed up the American flag cake served at the library after the naturalization ceremony.
''I eat lots of good food. . . . I need to be able to swim for two miles without taking a
break,'' Savvin said.
The new citizens, sworn in by U.S. District Judge John Adams, are from 28 countries.
Savvin was 13 when he arrived in the United States with his mother, Svetlana Nelson, who attended Friday's ceremony. She had met an American man in the Ukraine, and the two married here.
Next week, Savvin plans to meet with a recruiter. He hopes to be in San Diego this fall for the demanding SEALs training.
He's confident the SEALs will sign him up now that he's a U.S. citizen. Permanent residents — those with a green card — can serve in the Navy but not the SEALs unit.
''It's all been me, pushing myself,'' said Savvin, a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School who is well versed on the SEALs' requirements.
Savvin said a book about the Navy SEALs piqued his interest.
''I've always wanted to be in the military, and the book said this is the hardest thing you can do,'' he said. ''I want to do something that's hard.''
His mother was upset with him at first.
''It's a big risk,'' Nelson said.
She has come to accept his choice.
''I decided I'm not against him,'' she said. ''I want him to do what he wants to do. Everything is in God's hands.''
The International Institute of Akron hosted Friday's ceremony. The nonprofit — founded in 1916 when Akron's then-booming rubber industry was hiring foreign workers — helps foreign-born people adjust to U.S. life. The agency provides education, employment, refugee resettlement and other services.
Each year, about 150 people become citizens after receiving help from the institute, said Rebecca Jenkins, an immigration counselor at the institute.
The institute also promotes the benefits and requirements of citizenship in various outreach programs.
Among others taking the oath of citizenship Friday was Sasa Prostran, who went to the institute for help with paperwork.
Prostran, a Serb who lived in Croatia, is an information technology manager and owns a photography business.
Besides looking forward to voting, the Akron resident is anticipating smoother travel to Europe to visit family and friends.
''When you're an immigrant, you have trouble getting papers,'' Prostran said.
Glancing as his certificate of naturalization, he said, ''I'm definitely going to frame this.''
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
Andrey Savvin wants to put his life on the line for a country that has been his for all of 24 hours.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 07:32 AM, 06/13/2009
America for ALL, not just the WASPs.
I love this country!
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:14 AM, 06/13/2009
Welcome to you all! May you live long and prosper.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:17 AM, 06/13/2009
Welcome... and they all did it LEGALLY!!! what a concept!!
m, m
Posted 01:40 PM, 06/13/2009
The Burmese are Karen Hill Tribe people. The Burma army has been know to kill them 'for the fun of it'. They came here as refugees. Our government brought them her, and they are given two choices. Work or welfare. If you go to work, and get fired you don't get government benefits for at least six months. If you get welfare, you get it from day one. There is little in the way of services for them. that is our government in action. Inner City Missions has reached out to help fill that void. As for the Mexicans, many are on temporary work visas. There work visa also allows them to bring the wife and kids (but the wife isn't permitted to work here). Again, thank your government for allowing so many to come here legally in the USA.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:43 PM, 06/13/2009
Welcome, everyone.
The, US
Posted 07:31 PM, 06/13/2009
Which of these grasshoppers is gonna mow my lawn now?
akron, oh
Posted 07:46 PM, 06/13/2009
i`m happy to welcome all who come here legally, and im happy for all of these people, welcome
Posted 09:45 PM, 06/13/2009
NO 7 ~ "Us Americans?"
We are all the descendants of immigrants! Unless you happen to be of American Indian descent!
