I came to the United States at 10 years old. My father became a U.S. citizen after Hawaii became a state. At 20, I realized I wanted to serve to give back for the opportunities we received - and also to see the world, as I assuredly would not have been able to do had I stayed in Stockton, Calif., the town in which I grew up. I am proud to have served the country I love.

Gilbert Arellano, Princess Anne Post 113, Virginia Beach, Va.