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(U) A Patriot's Story
FROM:
Lebanese Hizballah Branch (S2I22)
Run Date: 07/02/2004
(U//FOUO) Patriotism is not uncommon in the NSA population. It is, in fact, a requirement for
working here. However, there are those among us who have expressed that deep and nearly
indefinable sense of duty and loyalty in a very overt manner. They are naturalized citizens, who
in response to the attacks of September 11, volunteered their talents to defend their chosen
homeland, hoping their service might show their love, their sense of duty...their patriotism.
What follows is the story of
one such SID employee:
(U) My family migrated to the United States in 1983, but decided to go back to Jerusalem. I
returned to the U.S. in 1989 after I graduated from high school. It was the second year of the
Palestinian Intifada, and attending college was nearly impossible. So, I came back to America to
continue my education.
(U) I spent the first year in a small private college in Mt. Vernon, Georgia. A year later, I
transferred to the University of Maryland. I graduated in 1995 with two degrees in Business
Administration, one in Marketing and the other in International Business.
(U) I began work at a Web-hosting product group in 1997. I was married in 1998. After the
birth of my son in 2001, working outside the home was not as important to me. I had no
intentions of going back to the workforce, until September 11th, 2001.
(U//FOUO) As I tried to absorb all that came with that numbing event, I remembered the oath I
took when I became a citizen, to protect and defend this country and I thought, "Now, my
country needs my skills to fight this war on terrorism." I applied to -- and was hired by -- the
FBI to work as a linguist. I later came to NSA.
(U) I feel privileged that I am able to give back to the country that gave me more than my own
birthplace was able to give. The U.S. gave me the opportunity to get an education, a job, and to
become one of its citizens without feeling that I was different or did not belong. I was able to
participate in any program, from health care to retirement, just like any other citizen. I have the
same privileges and access as anyone born here. In Jerusalem, where I was born, I was banned
from many programs. When I think about the rights and privileges offered to me in my
birthplace compared to the ones of my adopted country, I have a feeling I cannot describe or
put into words, except to say: " God bless America!"
(U) You can read more about what
has been doing since she came to SID here.
(U) Have a safe and happy 4th of July and remember those who will be here at work and those
on the front lines who are ensuring our continued independence!
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108