Biden presides at naturalization of troops

BAGHDAD, July 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden celebrated the Fourth of July with American troops in Iraq where he presided at the naturalization of 237 U.S. troops.

Twelve of those troops were Iraqis, the Wall Street Journal reported.

"As corny as it sounds: Damn I'm proud to be an American," Biden told service members assembled at U.S. Camp Victory military headquarters at Aw Faw Palace, one of the seats former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's power, which sports a giant crystal chandelier hanging from an ornate ceiling.

"There's always room for more Americans, always room for more Americans," Biden said. "It's the lifeblood of our country … you know over 50 countries are represented here today, men and women, black and Asian, Hispanics."

Also present at the ceremony was Gen. Raymond Odierno, U.S. commander in Iraq, who recalled the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, "give me your tired, your poor," adding, "If had to write an inscription, I would say, 'Give me your best your brightest and your bravest. Give me your warriors, your heroes who will enhance our great nation and strive to keep her free.'"