I witnessed America at it's best today

[sazemisery]

My husband and I stood witness today to 152 immigrants, representing 52 countries, take the oath of allegiance on the lawn of the town common of Old Sturbridge Village. Immediately following, a small choir brilliantly performed The Star Spangled Banner a cappella.

When I was 2 years old, I was adopted from a German orphanage by a military couple and became a naturalized citizen several years later. I never took the oath of allegiance for citizenship due to my age, so I repeated those words along with these people today to reaffirm my own citizenship.

Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, which re-creates life in rural New England during the 1790s through 1830s. With all the conflict in our country today, it was refreshing to be transported back to a time when America was young and see this diverse group of people stand proudly as they became citizens of this United States of America.

I will think of this day when Cadet Bone Spurs spews his vitriol so I can have hope for a time when our country can once again return to its dreams and ideals.

[TomSlick]

1. Thanks.

It's past time for me to get over it. Yes, Trump is driving this country to fascism but we can and must resist. This country is worth fighting for.


Organize, protest, vote - resist!

[sazemisery]

3. Agreed /eom

[Lucky Luciano]

11. That would be a great political slogan!

“This country is worth fighting for!”

Coming from the left, it would be brilliant IMO.

Fuck MAGA!

[TomSlick]

12. All I need is another protest. I'll have the sign made.

I've been through a few stages: disbelief, sadness, anger, despair. I've arrived at resolution.

I'm fighting for my country. If it lands me in the coming concentration camps, so be it.

[olegramps]

31. My father worked to help immigrates get settled in our country.

I wish that our own citizens who were born here had as much appreciation for their good fortune as the desperate people who are so grateful for what our nation provides. I have taken people to the supermarket when I was a teenager who were totally amassed at the amount, quality and variety of clean wholesome food that was available every day of the week. They were actually flabbergasted. The very idea that they could get a job and own car was beyond their wildest expectations in life. I remember helping a young guy, not much older than myself, who had fought in the Polish uprising and escaped to Italy learn to drive. We had drink or two and die laughing about that experience. I helped people prepare the citizenship test and believe me most Americans would fail it miserably. I was there when a these people who had become my closest friends took the oath of alliance and I will tell you that it was one of the most profound days of my life. It was like when I went to Arlington and watched the changing of he guard at the Tome of the Unknown Soldier. That will put your mind to reeling.

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[Aristus]

4. I always tear up when I see pictures of immigrants taking the oath of citizenship.

Congratulations, fellow citizen!

[sazemisery]

5. Same here

It embodies the spirit of our country. It was quite emotional talking with these people and hearing the stories of their paths toward citizenship. I made some new friends today.

[calimary]

6. After the last few weeks, I'm frankly surprised that any immigrants

even want to become citizens.

They’re to be greatly admired, and thanked. I take it as a signal that not everybody has lost faith in this country.

[Sophia4]

7. I hope some Democrats were there registering all the new citizens to vote.

[sazemisery]

9. It's Massachusetts

[bdamomma]

8. From your lips to God's

Ears. I want us to be rid of this disease of trump

[ladym55]

10. Welcome to 152 new American citizens!

That had to be thrilling to be a part of that moment.

And we have 152 more people in the US who have read and understand the Constitution. Now if they could just explain it to Donny ...

[sazemisery]

13. Especially in the setting

of a village during the infancy of our Republic. The choir sent chills down my spine. Of course I cringe every time someone or group butchers our National Anthem.

[ladym55]

14. I bet

I haven't visited Sturbridge in a long time, but the whole experience today just had to have been awesome all around. Thank you so much for your post. It made me feel better about many things.

[FakeNoose]

15. Thanks for sharing this great story

May we always have stories like this to share with each other.

[SharonClark]

16. The do it at the base ball park in Des Moines

Love it!

[link:https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/life/2018/07/04/naturalization-ceremony-independence-day-citizenship-iowa-cubs-principal-park/758414002/|

"The crowd cheered as each of the 30 newly sworn-in citizens’ names echoed over the Principal Park sound system.

Judge Robert Pratt handed them a certificate as they walked off the field and they took their seats in the stands getting handshakes from spectators all the way up the stairs.

“This country was founded by people with heritage from other countries,” Gabriel said Wednesday, “so we are part of that now.”

[George II]

17. One of our family's proudest moments was the day my mother, when she was 48 years old...

...was sworn in as an American.

A few weeks later she received a personal letter from our Senator, congratulating her and welcoming her to American citizenship.

It was signed by Robert F. Kennedy.

[SharonClark]

19. Brought tears to my eyes.

[tavernier]

20. I saw him in person in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Little guy with a HUGE message.

I’ve had the mixed blessing to be alive during the most important times of the century.

[tavernier]

18. I was a four year old immigrant escaping WWII

and made a naturalized citizen at the age of 16. I became a nurse and an author of medical books, and a mother of children who have served in the military of our country. This is my story. If you wish to deport me or shut me up, I hope your karma is stronger than mine.

Let’s see.

[George II]

21. Thank you - that's what made America. Sadly much of that has or will be lost, too quickly.

[tavernier]

24. Not if my kids have anything to say about it.

Their ancestors were sent to Siberia by these monsters, killed and tortured. They will not forget. Putin’s plan is that we have short memories, but he is mistaken.

Old saying... Shit floats. It does. It will all come to the top.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

22. At the same time, the government is doing its very worst to undo good work.

https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/uscis-starting-denaturalization-task-force/

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is creating a new task force. Its goal: to examine what they say are bad naturalization cases, according to Director L. Francis Cissna’s June announcement.

As a result, the organization expects to hire dozens of lawyers and immigration officers in the coming weeks to find U.S. citizens they say should not have been naturalized, to revoke their citizenship, and then eventually deport them.

Ur Jaddou, a former chief council for the USCIS, now the director of the immigrant advocacy group DHS Watch, and an immigration law professor at Washington College of Law at American University explains this development.

Never rest. Always vigilant.

[smirkymonkey]

23. That's so great!

Welcome to all the new American citizens! I hope we can live up to their expectations.

[Ferrets are Cool]

25. That is a great story

And I am glad you posted.

You, however, were NOT able to see america at it's worst because no camera's are allowed into the concentration camps holding hundreds of children in THIS country. Until that stops, I cannot celebrate anything.

[LittleGirl]

26. My spouse

became a citizen on June 21st, 5 yrs ago. It was my first citizenship session and I was very proud too!

[The Conductor]

27. My friend

A good friend of mine from Japan was one of over 500 to become citizens in Washington State. The concept of that strong and intelligent woman ever voting for an orange-haired nincompoop is as ridiculous as he is. And she will vote. Welcome to the fight, good friend!

[George II]

28. Down in Hartford yesterday, 50 people from 22 countries were sworn in....

....on the field of a minor league baseball stadium before the game. They got a huge ovation!

[pazzyanne]

29. Thank you for this post, sazemisery!

It gives hope and the feeling that America is still here and doing what she does best: welcoming immigrants to her shores. I have worked with green card holders and have never found one of them that was not a loyal, hardworking, proud resident of this country. Too bad so many have lost that welcoming pride.

[geardaddy]

30. Thanks for sharing that.

[trof]

32. Nicely done. Thank you.