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Show Page June 9, 1978 HILL TOP TIMES 24 fir ft ft ED r n 5 The way "A.J." sees it, being an American is nothing to be taken for granted. Sgt. Alejandro A. Ballista, known to his friends in the 6514th Test Squadron as "A. J.," has spent most of his growing up, going to school and now serving in the military in the United States. I But until last Friday when he held up his hand and was sworn in by a judge of the Second District Court in Ogden, he wasn't actually a citizen of this country. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1960, Sergeant Ballista came to New York when he was nine years old, following his father who had arrived four years earlier. He immediately had a language problem. "I spoke very little English, but my t s ill " s : r ill g Sergeant Ballista originally assumed he would return to the Dominican Republic some day, but better opportunities came up here. "I situation there. As a citizen I can help my father with the proceedings to bring my brother to the U.S." Sergeant Ballista arrived at the 6514th as an Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) repairman, but developed arthritis and was transferred to the Orderly Room as a clerk. He applied for a special assignment to Keesler AFB, but was turned down because n status precluded his receiving his the necessary security clearances. But for now he is content to savor the thought that he is finally a United States citizen, and that it really is a small world. Not just because of his international background, but because one other person was also sworn Gerlinde Touchton in as a citizen that day from Germany. She is the wife of Benjamin F. Touchton, a master sergeant who works across the hall from "A.J." was offered a scholarship to a fashion industry school in New York. I took some during my last two years of high school in design, fabrics, machinery and business. But when I graduated, I decided the fashion field just wasn't for me." pre-class- International Harvester Want 4x4 To Sergeant Ballista plans to marry Linda Brubakera staff sergeant in the reserves, in July or August. - "That's when I decided I should become a citizen. Not only was I limited on assignments, but I could never become an officer." SALE-A-TH- U.S. Air Force Photo by es His citizenship may also help reunite his family. He explains, "I still have a younger brother in the Dominican Republic who hasn't been able to get here because of the political iff N O Story and Sergeant Ballista just reenlisted and has an assignment to Bitburg, Germany, corning up in November. He plans to start taking college courses there, leading toward a college degree and hopefully a commission. I .jC announces ft" ML As if all these events were not enough, non-citize- neigh- countries bors were from Spanish-speakinsuch as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba," he explained. "And my teachers student always assigned a Spanish-speakin- g to interpret for me. Also, I carried a Spanish-Englis- h dictionary for quick reference." And he was ready to leave New York, anyway. "I hate violence and the area I lived in was getting pretty rough," he explained. So he joined the Air Force and found his way to Utah by way of Basic Training at Lackland AFB and tech school at Chinoot AFB. "I really enjoy the peace and quiet here," he said. Capt Jim Schrupp .fMlflllD N r 7 pfb Make A BUY! M 0 3 MMNW WMMiV g) You Cant Beat Our We Do Wore With Less $$! TO 30 SAVE 20 PRICES Thick & GOOD THRU JUNE 5th Boston Steck Tender Rib & the Bor-- Juicy Lb Fresh Bread French Stvle ,. 5DOre KIDS Try Them, They re Oreo.! Fresh. Young Regular Slab SCOUT 4x4, 100 W. B. Rally Hubs, Tilt Wheel, Clock. 500cc Battery. Tow Package, V-- 345 Auto. Cruise, Bucket Seats. Custom Interior, Rally Package, Sliding RR Windows, Luggage Rack. Air Conditioning, H12 78x15 Radials. 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