On Friday, Ann and I had the privilege of witnessing a naturalization ceremony for the first time. Our friends and neighbors, Vladimir and Tamara Khapersky were participants. They are immigrants from Kazakhstan. It was a very good experience. There were 46 participants from 26 different nations. A later ceremony brought the total to over a 100 new citizens for the day.
It was a serious and emotional ceremony. My friend, Vladimir remarked that his heart was racing as he participated. I was impressed and humbled by the oath that was administered.
I hereby declare, on oath,
- that I 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 I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
- that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
- that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law;
- that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;
- that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law;
- and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
In acknowledgement whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.
I had little objective awareness of the responsibilities of citizenship that are clearly defined in the oath. I wonder how many of us born as citizens would be willing to take this oath. I am grateful for this experience and would recommend you attend a naturalization ceremony.
