I'm proud to be an American!

On Thursday I had the honor of attending a friend's Naturalization Ceremony. It was wonderful experience. I met Sana when she came to interview for a job I was hiring for. She was hired and has worked for me this past year. The day finally arrived for Sana and we all left our work duties behind. We walked about 5 minutes away from work and watched as she embarked upon this new part of her life. We weren't a small group but we came armed with flags, pins and cheers! Sana was born in Tunisia (ya I had to look it up too).

After we all passed security we took the elevator to the 5th floor we walked into the courtroom. We were handed a program of the events I began to look it over. I hadn't ever seen or been apart of a naturalization ceremony before so I didn't know what to expect.

I turned to the center portion of the program and found the names of all the people taking the oath this day. I believe there were 75 people but what is even more remarkable to me is where they all came from. Of course Sana is from Tunisia but there were 3 people from China, 2 from the United Kingdom. 5 from Palestine, 2 from Iran, 3 from Turkey. Some from Jordan, Barbados, South Africa, France, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Korea, Nigeria, Romania, Philippines, Nigeria, Cuba, Belize, Haiti, Mexico, Egypt, Moldova, Uganda, Lebanon, Ethiopia, St. Kitts-Nevis, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Jamaica, Spain, Brazil, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Liberia, Dominican Republic, Italy, El Salvador, Ghana, Syria, Dominica. It was a mighty melting pot this day.

The colors were posted by a young Marine who did an outstanding job. A Rabbi gave both the invocation and benediction. That caused me to pause as I listened to his words and thought of those in the room that might have a disagreement with him because he was a Jew but today we all sat in the same room as Americans.

My favorite part of the ceremony was when they had each person stand, state their name and the country from which they came from. They all remained standing as the oath was read and they repeated it. You are not a citizen until you have stated this oath and this is the oath to which they swear by-

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the Untied States when required by the law; that I will preform noncombatant service in the Armed forces of the United States when required by the law; and I that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

The judge welcomed them into the arms of the United States. They had another speaker who welcomed them as well and then we all stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance. The colors were retired with a Benediction to end the marvelous day.

I stood in the back and watched as the camera flashes went wild. The new citizens were eager to get their picture taken with the Seal of the USA hanging on the wall. They waited in line to get a picture with the Judge. It was touching as I watched all of the people I work with stand in a single line and hug Sana and congratulate her and welcome her to the USA. There were about 15 of us so this was no small reception. A few pictures later I was walking back to finish the days work.

As I replayed the days events in my mind I felt such great pride in what had just happened. I was thankful I was asked and allowed to share this important day with her. Her husband told me how excited he was for her because when he took the oath he had no one with him to celebrate with. I noticed that was the same for some of the other new American's. I wanted to say to them, welcome to the USA!!!

I ran across this short prose written by George Mardikian - an Armenian born, naturalized citizen who became a successful businessman and author, and who was awarded the US Medal of Freedom for his service to US servicemen during the Korean war.

You who have been born in America, I wish I could make you understand what it is like not to be an American -- not to have been an American all your life -- and then suddenly with the words of a judge in flowing robes to be one, for that moment and forever after. One moment, you belong with your fathers to a million dead yesterdays -- the next you belong with America to a million unborn tomorrows.

I am thankful I am an AMERICAN!