Photos: D-Day veteran gets proof of citizenship

Politics

Sherwin Callander -- a D-Day veteran was born in Canada -- and moved to the U.S. when he was 3. When he recently decided to go France for ceremonies remembering the 70th anniversary of D-Day he couldn't find documentation to get a passport. Federal officials gave him that documentation Monday, June 2, 2014 in a ceremony in Atlanta hours before he boarded a plane to France.

Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Sherwin Callander, center, kisses his U.S citizenship certificate during a naturalization ceremony with U.S. Army Spc. Gulam Ali, left, originally from India, and U.S. Army Spc. Iddrisu Ibrahim, originally of Ghana, right, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta. The World War II veteran from Alabama is headed to France for D-Day ceremonies, a trip that seemed unlikely just last week.

Callander read about ceremonies for the 70th anniversary of D-Day and thought it would be meaningful to go. He hadn't been back to France since landing on Utah Beach during the Battle of Normandy, but he hit a snag when he went to get a passport. Callander was born in Canada to an American mother, and his family moved to the U.S. when he was 3. But he didn't have documentation proving his U.S. citizenship. Federal officials heard his story and on Monday gave him a proof of citizenship certificate so he could get a passport in time to leave for France just hours later.

Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Sherwin Callander talks to the media after a naturalization ceremony, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta. The World War II veteran from Alabama is headed to France for D-Day ceremonies, a trip that seemed unlikely just last week. Callander read about ceremonies for the 70th anniversary of D-Day and thought it would be meaningful to go. He hadn't been back to France since landing on Utah Beach during the Battle of Normandy, but he hit a snag when he went to get a passport. Callander was born in Canada to an American mother, and his family moved to the U.S. when he was 3. But he didn't have documentation proving his U.S. citizenship. Federal officials heard his story and on Monday gave him a proof of citizenship certificate so he could get a passport in time to leave for France just hours later. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Sherwin Callander, center, applauds after a naturalization ceremony with U.S. Army Spc. Gulam Ali, left, originally from India, and U.S. Army Spc. Iddrisu Ibrahim, originally from Ghana, right, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta.

Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Sherwin Callander talks to the media after a naturalization ceremony Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta.

Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Sherwin Callander, center, arrives for a naturalization ceremony with U.S. Army Spc. Gulam Ali, background right, originally from India, and U.S. Army Spc. Iddrisu Ibrahim, left, originally of Ghana, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta.

1/6

Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Sherwin Callander, center, kisses his U.S citizenship certificate during a naturalization ceremony with U.S. Army Spc. Gulam Ali, left, originally from India, and U.S. Army Spc. Iddrisu Ibrahim, originally of Ghana, right, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta. The World War II veteran from Alabama is headed to France for D-Day ceremonies, a trip that seemed unlikely just last week.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Alerts

Photos: Cedar Grove defeats Cairo in first round of state tournament

PHOTOS: See the 'Places in Peril' across Georgia for 2026

PHOTOS: Tyler Reddick wins again at Autotrader 400

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance speaks to Georgia Republicans

PHOTOS: Tensions overflow at DeKalb immigration protest

PHOTOS: Protesters flood downtown to oppose Trump and immigration policies