Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 044-04
March 2, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG PRESENTS CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE TO FALLEN SOLDIER'S FAMILY

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today presented the family of Army Private First Class (PFC) Luis A. Moreno, 19, with their son’s citizenship certificate. A Bronx resident, PFC Moreno died on January 29th after being shot while guarding a gas station in Baghdad, Iraq.  The ceremony, which took place this morning in the Governor’s Room at City Hall, included several members of the soldier’s family, along with United States Army Major General Richard Colt and other members of the Army, Congressman Jose Serrano and his son, Councilmember Jose Serrano. 

“It is my honor to present Luis’s family with papers, signed by his commander-in-chief making Luis a citizen of the United States,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “Citizenship is something that Americans sometimes take for granted. Luis did not and I hope that because of his example, others will cherish citizenship and all it represents more dearly.  We will not forget Luis or the sacrifices that he made for his adopted home.  The courage of our men and women in uniform, like Luis, are what continue to protect our nation and freedoms.”

PFC Moreno moved to the Bronx from the Dominican Republic when he was 13. He joined the Army shortly after graduating from Taft High School.  PFC Moreno served with Battery A, Fourth Battalion, First Field Artillery, stationed out of Fort Riley, Kansas.  He was shot in Baghdad on January 23rd and he died from his injuries six days later at a Lakenheath Medical Treatment Facility in the United Kingdom on January 29th. 

He was the youngest of four children, and had dreamed of becoming a police officer after completing his service in the Army.  PFC Moreno leaves behind, his father, Mr. Manuel Moreno, his mother, Ms. Francisca de la Cruz, his brother, Manuel Moreno Jr. and his sisters, Michelle and Flora.

Last month, Mayor Bloomberg wrote a letter to President Bush requesting that this soldier be granted citizenship posthumously. The Mayor stated that granting PFC Moreno citizenship, it would reinforce the ideals of freedom that United States soldiers are making the ultimate sacrifice to preserve.  The request was granted in late February and the Mayor presented the family with the certificate this morning.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Silvia Alvarez   (212) 788-2958




More Resources