Vietnam veteran Ermilo Cano nearly died defending his country during the war. He was trapped for more than 10 hours in a deadly fire aboard a Navy ship. He received a Bronze Star for his efforts. Decades later, he found himself trapped in a different way.
You may recall Cano’s story, which we covered in November. When Cano was born in rural Texas, his parents were focused on keeping their farm afloat, not filing paperwork announcing his birth. Instead, his mother simply noted in her Bible that she’d given birth. Years later, when it was time for school, Cano’s father filed the papers. Little did he know, that delayed decision would haunt his son for years.
The State Department wanted more information from Cano to prove his birth and citizenship. They wanted documents about his parents — things he did not have.
But, this week, Cano got some good news. Wednesday, Cano got the package he’d been waiting on for more than a decade. He received his U.S. passport. Ecstatic, he reached out to Laurie Roberts, the reporter who initially made his story public.
“I got it, Laurie,” he told the Arizona Republic. “Oh, my God. I can’t tell you. I’m … I’m sorry but I’m just so emotional. You don’t know what this means to me.”
Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick worked for three years to get Cano’s birth certificate. She announced the good news on Facebook today. The State Department heard his story on the news and finally followed through.
“I’m ecstatic. I’m so happy. I’m glad I didn’t give up,” Cano said. “It makes me feel like I’m a real American.”
Screenshot/Arizona Republic
