The Day I Became a United States Citizen
I was born and raised in the United States. Legally I have been a citizen since birth. It was only today, 49 years later, that I realized what that means.
I was at the Federal Courthouse for the Southern District of Ohio for the swearing in ceremony of 55 new United States citizens. We all rose as the Judge entered the courtroom. He started the proceedings by welcoming the group and remarking that most Americans were immigrants at one time. Then each person was asked to stand, introduce himself and tell his country of orgin.
The 55 people ranged in age from 18 to 68 and came from Russia, the Ukraine, U.K., Somila, Ethopia, Iraq, Jordan, S. Africa, Gahana, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, South Korea, China, Mexico and many other places. They then took an oath renouncing any further alliance to that country. They swore that they would defend their new country, the United States, against any foreign threats.
The Judge informed them that now they are just as much an American Citizen as all of their relatives and friends in the room. He had all of us, new and old, stand and say the 'Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America'. He shook hands with each one of them. Many posed by the flag for pictures. All of them turned in a voter registration card.
What had brought these people to this day? Maybe for some, this would be their first time to take part in an election. Who had they left behind? What life altering choices had they made? Was this a dream come true or the only way out of a bad situation? Were they guilty that they could improve their lot in life and others were still in refugee camps? Were they here for an education or had they slipped in and their next stop would be signing up for flight school?
Who knows? But more importantly, could I ever make a choice like they had? Could I leave behind the only life I'd ever known and adapt to a new culture? Could I denounce the United States and be willing to bear arms against it?
No, I'd been given the gift of being born at the right place at the right time. The more I learn, the more I see, the more I know. I'm where I belong and grateful. 'I pledge allegiance to MY United States of America!'
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THEIR side of the story
Do you think your newly naturalized friends would like to share their thoughts about becoming American citizens? I'd sure like to hear what they have to say.
Awesome!
What a great opportunity and privilege it was for you to share that very moving, and personal, experience with the newest Americans. We take so much for granted. Thanks for passing on this great moment.
(What did 'Chelle think about it? Will we be seeing some more posts?)
Michelle
I think both girls were moved, I doubt that she will take the time to write anything up about it simply because her computer time is taken up chatting. While we were downtown, back at her school enough fights broke out that the police were called. They arrived along with their horse patrol (better for crowd control) . Apparently the local gangs had issues outside of school that they 'discussed' at lunch time. 5 kids were arrested. The school was in a level 2 lockdown. That means they are braced for a Columbine like incident so they turn off the lights, move away from the windows and lie on the floor. This lasted for 2 1/2 hours. With every kid having a cell phone, my girls were getting numerous text messages with blow by blow accounts. Of course these same kids also contacted their parents so they begin to show up at school. The bored kids lying around on the floor also contact the local tv stations so everyone in the city gets to watch it all on the 6 PM news. The sad thing about all this is that these incidents are common. The good thing is that usually no weapons are found and the gang members throughout the city concentrate pretty much on just hurting each other. Nice weather revs up tensions.
What a contrast!
The girls really got some great lessons that day about rights, responsibilities, and freedom.
Geez, school has sure changed. The ugliest thing we ever faced at good ol' Queen of the World school in St. Marys, PA was some kid puking in the hall!
Great Story
That was a great story Pam. I really enjoyed hearing about all the people from other parts of the world stand up and be counted as a citizen of this great nation. To bad the news media can not take a moment and talk to these new citizens. The joy these new citizen would express over being a part of this nation would probably inspire others to become involved in their communities.
What does it mean to be a citizen? As a citizen of America what is our responsibility?
Thanks Pam I really appreciated you sharing this story. Say hello to our American friends in Ohio.