If you made a list of stars who've earned their stripes as outstanding Americans, Ramon Sanft would be near the top.
Grunt in the bush in Vietnam. Mine blew up in his face. Rehabbed six weeks. Went back in-country to fire more rocket launchers with Delta Company 17, 1st Division, 7th Marines.
Came home a corporal with a Purple Heart and other medals after honorable discharge. Married Sue. Still together 31 years later, living in Provo. Raised six kids, two college grads, one in doctoral studies at Princeton, another at BYU now. Boys Eagle Scouts. Manager of moving company where he's worked since 1970. Recent member of a BYU bishopric.
Put a top hat on him and this guy is Uncle Sam himself, painted by Norman Rockwell.
What he isn't?
A U.S. citizen.
Not because the Tonga native, who came to Salt Lake City at age 12, doesn't want to be — wasn't dying to be when he fought in Southeast Asia.
Because of ridiculous bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, empty political promises and, finally, battle fatigue, it's wearing Ramon out for this war in a way Charlie couldn't.
"He went down to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and sat for days and nothing ever happened. He just got to where he let it go," Ryan Sanft, Ramon's son, a BYU grad and social worker at a Loma Linda, Calif., VA hospital, said by phone.
But Ryan and his siblings are tired of this injustice being ignored. Maybe it was Ryan's helping three vets at his hospital get citizenship papers. Maybe it was being at the big Fourth bash last July at BYU Stadium when Sen. Orrin Hatch swore in a batch of new citizens.
"I saw my dad swell with pride, like always at a patriotic function. I don't know anyone with more pride in America," Ryan said.
He also saw the anguish Ramon stoically stuffs like a worn overcoat in some back cloakroom of his emotions.
Once again, Ramon's kids — Doran, Shahara, Kameron, Adam, Maile, Ryan — are determined to see him become a citizen. You can imagine their frustration with the system.
It's unbelievable the people who've spoken for Ramon in the past. First as the feds tried deporting him — when he came home on leave with six months left on his 'Nam hitch.
The brilliance dazzles, doesn't it?
They tried booting him again when he came home for good, still busted up from fighting.
Former Utah Sen. Wallace Bennett stepped in then. The New York Times featured Ramon. Lyndon Johnson wrote letters, for goodness sake. These things kept Ramon here on a permanent green card. They didn't make him a citizen. Neither did Al Gore's promise to do something.
Now the political ball's in Hatch's court.
The kids wrote Orrin "the sweetest letter," said Hatch spokesperson Heather Barney. She says Orrin is all over this now. Hatch state director Melanie Bowen says they've asked the INS to send Ramon's file and expedite it.
The feds told Hatch's folks nothing's blocking Ramon if he'll now fill out Form N-400, a basic naturalization application.
"I know it may sound crazy, since the family has been at this since the '60s, but I hope they're heartened that we will do everything in our power to make this happen," Barney said,
Ever humble Ramon says, "I was elated to fight in Vietnam because this is by far the greatest place on earth. All I wanted was to prove myself worthy to stay."
Personally, I think if you fight for Sam, he gives you your citizenship papers, along with your discharge. Same envelope. He kisses your feet when you go.
Right now I think some INS minion should take that N-400 to Ramon on a silver platter, get down on bended knee, waive the fee and beg him to sign.
Who could we possibly be prouder to call one of us.
E-mail: gtwyman@desnews.com