HARRISBURG, N.C. — A retired Navy Seal from Poland rode in the Harrisburg July 4 Parade Saturday morning.
PHOTOS: Thousands gather for Harrisburg Fourth of July parade
Thomas Dzieran retired from the Navy Seals in 2011 after serving over 20 years in the military. He said joining the Seals after becoming an American citizen was important to him.
"When I became (a) U.S. citizen, this is my adopted country. This is my country. I wanted to do something for it. I think for me, the best way to pay back for my freedom and everything I have was to serve the country, to join the military," Dzieran said.
While in Poland, Dzieran spent two years in a communist gulag. He called himself a political prisoner.
When he came to the United States, Dzieran did not speak English and only brought a bag of clothes.
"So everything I have, everything I own, I owe to America," he told Channel 9.
Dzieran shared advice for people who want to come to America like he did.
"Embrace the culture, embrace the value and respect the law," Dzieran said.
He taught his children English as their first language.
"I'm American. I'm not Polish-American, I'm not something hyphen American. I'm American," Dzieran said.
Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day Saturday in Harrisburg. The town's three-day July 4 celebration ended Saturday night with live music and a fireworks show.