Today, I Became an American
Today, I did something I once thought I would never do: I gave up my loyalty to my home country, the land of my birth.
Today, for the first time, I swore allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and sang the Star Spangled Banner with my right hand across my breast. And I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that I have just become a part of a Great Nation. This is a country that sends its sons and daughters into harm’s way in foreign lands in defense of peoples who may or not be forever grateful. When disaster strikes in any corner of the world, America and its people, are almost always the first in line to help. What an awesome country to call my adopted home!
PS: Today, I became an American and I celebrated this occasion by joining Ricochet!
PPS: Today, I became an American and thus inherited over $14 Trillion in debt!
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Mar '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
Welcome!
Mar '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
My grandfather came to the US when he was 14 from Italy. He fought in the Pacific theater during WWII. He was fiercely proud of being an American citizen. So much so that he refused to speak Italian, even though we begged him to teach us. He viewed speaking Italian as a betrayal of his country, the United States of America. I cried out loud at my desk reading Mrs. K's post (I guess I should rethink reading Ricochet at lunch) thinking about my grandfather and the citizens who chose the US as their country and live(d) their commitment. Would that all of us who were granted citizenship as a birthright followed their example. Congratulations, welcome and well met!!!
May '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations. Welcome to the nation dedicated to new beginnings.
Mar '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
Mrs K, may I add my congratulations?
I am also a Naturalized citizen (born UK) - like Claire, the Judge at the ceremony pointed out that we have exactly the same rights as a US-born citizen (he forgot to mention that I could not run for President ;-). I always remember this when I re-enter the US, and the Immigration Officer is more polite than when I used to enter with a Green Card.
Most of my friends are Liberals (they call themselves Progressives) and it is something of a standing joke that I am more Patriotic than they are - I am the typical Sarah Palin fan going around with the US Constitution in my Laptop bag - haha.
Jun '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations and welcome!
Mar '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
I want to offer my congratulations as well; my in-laws are immigrants and they are great lovers of this country, more than most natural-born citizens I know.
May '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations and Thank You for picking up a share of the load!
Aug '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Mrs K,
Here is one of the best things about your decision and your new country. My first ancestor didn't have to take any training, recite any oath, sing any song. When he got here, the priorities were to find shelter, setup a household, start working, and the rest of the things one did in a place called Massachusetts Bay Colony. 372 years difference and we share the same exact rights today. That's the miracle. Welcome to the City on the Hill , warts and all.
Aug '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations and welcome to the Untied States.
Or as we say in LA, Bienvenidos a El Norte!
Edited on Apr 7, 2011 at 12:52pmRe: Today, I Became an American
Welcome home!
Feb '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations and welcome. It's a long process being naturalized.
Nov '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
As Mrs K has so aptly demonstrated, some of our best spokespersons are our newest citizens. And when we say "welcome to the mix" we mean it. My son, who is currently in a setting in which he is one of very few natural born Americans, recently mezmerized some of his foreign friends by relating his heritage: "I'm part German, part Scottish, part Norwegian, part Swiss, part English, and part Cherokee." How cool is that?
Welcome!
Nov '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Some of us probably have families that came over on the Mayflower; some of us may be indigenous; personally, my family was in Louisiana at the time of the Purchase.
And you, Mrs. K, are no less an American than anyone else. That is what makes this country exceptional.
(Though I second Kennedy's curiosity as to where your native land was.)
May '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations and welcome! It's a beautiful thing to welcome another citizen to the ranks.
Mar '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
Perfect.
Welcome home indeed, Mrs. K!
Mar '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
God Bless and welcome aboard, Mrs. K!
Oct '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Congratulations and welcome, Mrs. K!
Jun '10
Re: Today, I Became an American
Thank you for choosing us, and welcome.
Feb '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
What happened to all the hateful comments I've been told you right-wing types always make about immigrants? One might think that those reports weren't entirely true...
Welcome, Mrs. K!
(And I am very touched by the warm sentiments and wonderful stories some of you have shared.)
Apr '11
Re: Today, I Became an American
"I gave up my loyalty to my home country, the land of my birth."
In your own heart no doubt, but in law perhaps not. Not knowing what country you are from I can't say for sure but legally speaking you may now be a dual citizen. But then again perhaps not; it's all going to depend on what the law of your country of birth says about losing your original citizenship. Although US law requires you to state under oath that you "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 oath in and of itself is of no legal effect under the law of most other countries. So, for example, if I as an Australian citizen were (hypothetically speaking of course) to become a naturalised US citizen, saying those words would be of no effect under Australian law and I would still be a subject of Her Majesty the Queen of Australia (and entitled to an Australian passport) since my Australian citizenship is governed purely by Australian and in no wise by US law.