This is a legal immigrant's story.

When World War II ended, communist forces occupied my country. After living in West Germany for 10 years, I decided to immigrate to America and the Lutheran Church sponsored me.

After waiting for two years, I had to appear at the U.S. Immigration Service in Munich where I was "interrogated" by U.S. officials.

I was asked if I was a member of the Communist or Nazi party. I replied that I had been in the Germany military as a company clerk and at the end of the war I had surrendered to U.S. troops and spent 11 months in a war prison camp.

When I was asked if I had any physical or mental illness, I asked why he was asking such an embarrassing question. The official replied, "We don't need any more nuts in America."

After another year, I crossed the ocean on a small military transport ship arriving in New York City.

While I was waiting in the rail station restaurant for a train to Bloomington, a waitress set a glass of water in front of me. This was a big surprise - I thought she was making fun of me! I didn't yet know American traditions.

After living in Bloomington for 11 years, I decided to become a U.S. citizen. I had to appear in front of the U.S. immigration lawyer for a citizenship "exam" to prove I could read and write English. Then I had to answer questions about U.S. history and the Constitution, such as, "In case the president dies, who will take over the presidency?" I wasn't sure, so I said, "The undertaker." The lawyer said, "Very good, you sound like one of us."

After several months, I became a U.S. citizen. It had taken years of patience.

Willis Kalneitis

Bloomington