New Citizens of America

I just happened to overhear on a Jackson TV station the other day that forty-eight new Americans stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance here in Vicksburg.  They took the oath to "support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America" and became naturalized citizens.

The ceremony, jointly coordinated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Vicksburg National Military Park, was held in the shadow of the USS Cairo, a restored Civil War gunboat sunk in the cause of preserving the Union and resurrected as a permanent memorial of the fight.

I was pleasantly surprised to know that this had taken place here in my hometown this past Friday.  It was indeed an honor for Vicksburg.

Those who became citizens emigrated from 25 different countries.  Some according to The Vicksburg Post, came as refugees, some seeking asylum, and some on work or family visas.

F. Keith Ball, magistrate judge for the U. S. District Court in Jackson, spoke about the power of the individual citizen in American society and government, reminding them of not just their rights as Americans, but their responsibilities to vote, serve on a jury, volunteer in their communities and serve others wherever they see a need.  He also recognized the work each had put into being able to take the Oath of Allegiance.  "You didn't reach this day simply by raising your hand and saying you wanted to be an American citizen," Ball said.  "You've reached this day through a whole lot of effort and a lot of determination.

The theme of the day was "Embrace Citizenship - Experience America through your National Park."  Vicksburg National Military Park Superintendent Michael Madell said a number of naturalization ceremonies have been held around the country at other national parks, including Ellis Island National Park in NY which commemorates the historic entry point of millions of American immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.  "You are now owners of America's national parks," he told the group.

Countries and territories represented at Friday's ceremony were Afghanistan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.