February 28, 2024~ Naturalization Day

 

JOY IN THE COURTROOM!

What an honor and privilege to attend and participate in the NATURALIZATION CEREMONY for 50 NEW CITIZENS. The event took place at the United States District Court Western District of Virginia. Opening ceremony, by the Air Force Junior ROTC from Patrick Henry High School, under the direction of  Lt Colonel Steven Boyd, began promptly at 11:00AM...

Special Music was performed by Salem Choral Society.

Presentation of Applicants was read by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Andrew Bassford.

With right hands raised, Elizabeth Cox, Jury Specialist, administered the "Oath of Allegiance" to the new 50 United States Citizens.

The Honorable Thomas T. Cullen, Presiding United States District Judge, presented certificates to the new citizens. 

The path to citizenship had been completed by 50 new American citizens.......a powerful journey for all! 

Flags, cards, congratulations, hugs, hand shakes, tears of joy, were shared with the new citizens. Judy Thierry Past Regent for the General James Breckinridge Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The remarks by New Citizens were heart-felt, bold, and sincere(and not a dry eye in the courtroom). I'll never forget some of their remarks. 

Immediately following the ceremony, the General James Breckinridge Chapter NSDAR provided a reception.

***If you have never attended a Naturalization Ceremony, find out when the next one takes place. You can be a part of the 'courtroom gallery'. It is an experience that you will not forget.

A link below, includes 100 CIVICS questions as part of the Naturalization process. Judge Thomas Cullen remarked:  "I'd be willing to bet that these new citizens know more than 95% of the citizens who were born here in the US!" CIVICS QUESTIONS "Their passion, enthusiasm, will, and vision to dream heroic dreams and accomplish unknown things took courage!"

Here is yet another link for the reading vocabulary test used for the US Citizenship interview. READING VOCABULARY

I am proud to be an American! 

"IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE,YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT."