An American soldier who fled persecution in Nigeria and came to the United States as a teenager 10 years ago with the help of two Virginia Disciples congregations, was recently honored by President Barack Obama.
President Obama presented U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ledum Sunday Dennis Ndaanee with the "Outstanding American by Choice" award during a White House Rose Garden ceremony on April 23. Ndaanee came to America in September 1999 as a 17 year-old boy with his family, which included his parents, Jolly and Veronica Ndaanee, and sister, Rose, who was then 15. They were sponsored by Colonial Place Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Richmond, Va., and Springfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rockville, Va.
"Dennis," as the Disciples who know Ndaanee call him, was recognized at the ceremony where 24 other American Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who had come to the U.S. from foreign countries received their citizenship. Ndaanee’s award highlighted the importance of citizenship rights and responsibilities through recognition of the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. He joined the Marines 2004, and was naturalized in 2007 while in the hospital recovering from wounds he received during a tour of duty in Iraq.
The Virginia churches furnished the family’s first apartment and provided them with food and clothing, along with transportation. The Ndaanees lived closer to Colonial Place Christian Church and became active members there. Ndaanee played on the church softball team. Springfield Christian also was involved in supporting the family. The two congregations brought the family to America through the Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries Program, which worked in partnership with the Virginia Council of Churches refugee resettlement program, an affiliate of Church World Service refugee program.
"Dennis is just a person that if you were to meet him, you would be just naturally drawn to him," said William Brian Fleming, senior minister at Colonial Place Christian Church. "He’s got a wonderful smile and is very approachable – just a good person. He’s just a successful story of someone coming to this country and getting a new chance to have a better life here. I think part of his going in the armed forces was to give back."
The Ndaanees lived in Richmond, so they became more involved there. "They’ve been very active members of our church for the past 11 years and have worked hard at becoming American citizens," said Fleming. "They’ve really incorporated themselves well. Our church loves them a lot and has helped support them and be there for them throughout the years."
Linda Williamson, who was a member of Colonial Place at the time and also worked for the Virginia refugee resettlement program, brought the Ndaanee case to the church’s attention, which later agreed to sponsor the family.
"The church felt a calling to help this family," recalled Williamson, who is currently program assistant for refugee and immigration ministries at Disciples Home Missions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). "They have been such an asset to our way of life in America. Right away, they wanted work. They are a Christian family. The very first night at their apartment, Veronica got everybody in a circle and just thanked God that they had made it safely to America. From the very beginning, this family just appreciated the opportunity in America, and has been very grateful for the support they received from the church."
Milo Marr, has been the minister at Springfield Christian Church for 15 years, and fondly remembers the Ndaanees.
"The teenagers, Dennis and Rose, were very intelligent and spoke great English," said Marr. "They were at first really active in the church here, but remained more active with Colonial Place because they lived in Richmond. They had a tremendous determination and faith. Veronica was extremely vocal about voicing her faith. She would always pray for us or give a testimonial to the church. They were determined to make it."
By James Patterson
