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U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan celebrate Independence Day

Thursday, July 04, 2013 - 01:27

July 4 - Dozens of U.S. troops in Kabul marked the nation’s Fourth of July birthday with a very special start to their own lives - by getting sworn in as new American citizens. Mana Rabiee reports.

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More than one reason to celebrate this Fourth of July. These 30 or so U.S. soldiers in Kabul, born outside the United States, marked the nation's birthday on Thursday with a very special start to their own lives - by getting sworn in as American citizens. But for some, being so far away from home on this holiday isn't easy. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SERGEANT IN THE U.S. ARMY, KATHERINE RIOS, SAYING: "Every year my family does a get-together and a cook out and everything like that and I know they're still doing that and they are thinking about me and I call home and everything like that. So it's different to spend the holidays away from home." Republican Senator John McCain was here, following talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He's hopeful a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries could be finally within reach. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN SENATOR, JOHN MCCAIN, SAYING: "We hope that it will be agreed to sooner, as soon as possible, so that we can get about the business of making proper arrangements for of a long-term American presence." Long-term for some troops. But with U.S. combat operations here winding down, many of these fighting men and women can expect to celebrate the next Fourth of July -- closer to home.

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U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan celebrate Independence Day

Thursday, July 04, 2013 - 01:27

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