Union, Nebraska

UNION NEWS
JANUARY 29, 2004

NEW U.S. CITIZEN:

On January 21, 2004, I was invited to a Naturalization Ceremony for one of our long time residents. Emiko Umenai was born in Misawa, Japan where she lived on a family farm. In 1970, she met & married Geoffrey Page who at that time was serving in the United States Air Force stationed at Misawa Air Force Base, Japan. Emi (as most of her friends call her) became a military wife and traveled to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. In 1971, Emi & Geoff (& their doctors) were surprised by a set of twin boys, Robert & Richard. In 1972, Emi & her sons went to Japan to stay with her family while Geoff was stationed in Thailand. However, that assignment was cut short went Geoff suffered some medical problems. In 1972, the Pages moved to Offutt Air Force Base here in Bellevue, Nebraska. The family’s next stop was the Pentagon in 1974 where they welcomed daughter, Kimberly, born at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Washington, in 1978. Their next move brought them back to Offutt where they stayed until Geoff retired in 1982 as a Master Sergeant.

Emi was a self-employed childcare provider and was in constant demand. We often tease her about raising most of the neighborhood children. Her goal in life was to raise her children to be their best and take care of her husband. She should be very proud since her sons are both police officers. Bob lives in Bellevue with his wife, Holly, and daughter, Alexis. He is also in the National Guard and as a matter of fact, was just released after a year from active duty. Bob is a police officer in the Bellevue Police Department. His brother, Richard, lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his wife Lana. He is a former Marine and works at the Fort Wayne Police Department. Daughter, Kim, is currently assistant manager at a store in the outlet mall in Nebraska City.

After her children were on their own, Emi finally thought about doing something for herself & that was becoming a U.S. citizen. After many months of government paperwork, investigations, interviews & tests, she achieved her goal. She proudly took the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony held in the auditorium of Papillion Junior High School along with 35 others. The principal, John McGill, the 8th grade chorus directed by Ms Usher, Angela Bagwell District Adjudications Officer and Jerry Heinauer District Director, made this experience very memorable. Emi is also very grateful not only to her friends & family, but also to John Hurst, Cass County Veteran’s Officer, for all their help, support & at times, nagging. Congratulations, Emi!

The Page family at Emi’s Citizenship Ceremony: from left back row: Bob, father Geoffrey, & brother Richard. Front row: Bob’s wife, Holly & daughter Alexis, Emi, proudly holding her certificate, & daughter Kim.