Have your faith in this country renewed.....take a look

By WV DOTTR:

I had no idea what to expect today walking into the naturalization ceremony for people who had made the final step in becoming citizens of the United States.

My thoughts were, ok, we are in the DAR , and this is part of our mission, helping people understand patriotism and citizenship of this great country.

Our chapter had prepared 37 little grab bags for these new citizens. Inside were little flags, copies of the preamble to the constitution, bill of rights, and other patriotic literature.

There were 37 applicants seated in the courtroom. This was where the ceremony took place, a courtroom.

We, myself and other members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, were seated in the jury's box.

Also seated were members from the Rotary Club.

Presenting the colors, was the local honor guard from the ROTC program from a local high school.

The ROTC had also prepared certificates for these new citizens.

Our judge presiding, finally arrived, and she brought in another judge to assist.

The ROTC came in, bearing our flag and the state flag, we all saluted the flag as it passed, until it was posted, as is proper protocol.

A lady seated in the front row of the applicants for naturalization began to softly cry tears of joy. Eventually, she was handed a tissue.The families of the applicants were in attendance.

The judge recognized our DAR chapter and we all had to stand as they called out our names.'

People looked at us in awe, realizing , I suppose, that there was living history from early America right in their midst.

As each applicant's name was called , their nation of origin was mentioned, and we all clapped as each new American had his or her name read out.

These new citizens beamed. The judge also mentioned who was the oldest applicant and the youngest.

A singer, who was also the county clerk sang the National Anthem, and later she sang, God Bless the USA.

A prayer was said by a local minister and all paid respect for the moment.

There was a local , prominent surgeon, who was of Indian descent , who gave a speech about what this country made of people, how ordinary people could become extraordinary in America.

Eventually the ceremony ended, it was not that long.

The judges invited anyone who wanted to come forward and walk about in the courtroom. She said this was one time she was allowing cameras in the courtroom.

Our chapter regent, wanted to get a snapshot of us standing under the great seal...but the next thing we knew, we had new American Citizens wanting to have their pictures taken with us.

I was so honored and humbled and proud.

The husband of one new citizen, his wife had come from El Salvador, asked us about our grandfathers , did they really fight for freedom with George Washington and the patriots.

Well, we could all honestly say yes, yes he did.

It awed him, this man. He and his wife had traveled from their location in the state to get to this town from a distance of about 200 miles. Yes, it means something.

The roll call of countries represented really surprised me:

Germany, England, Canada, Belgium, Indonesia, Lithuania, Hungary, Kosovo, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Kenya, Viet Nam, China, Korea, Iran, India, Pakistan, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Peru, and Mexico.

I thought to myself of an unusual Mr or Miss Universe pageant.

A really neat thing we did was we and these new Americans got to say the pledge of allegiance to the flag, together.

We, descendents, repeated the pledge with new, future patriots.

Later , some of my fellow DAR ladies who'd just got hugs from some of these new citizens, they were just so overcome with emotion.

Want to get your faith renewed about this country? Go to one of these ceremonies.

You won't be sorry.

THANK YOU to our terrific commenter here, WVDOTTR, for giving us a very personal look at a citizenship ceremony in West Virginia on Friday. God bless America and those new citizens!