Proud to be an American

From Parker Davis commenting on January 14:
This morning I had a very moving experience when I attended a naturalization ceremony. The United States became 163 citizens stronger today and I was there to witness it all.

I, in my continued theme of the past several entries, had two revelations during the course of the ceremony. First, when all of the countries from which the now citizens had come were announced I realized how truly diverse the population of the United States has become, and will continue to become. (A few of the forty-nine countries represented I had never even heard of.) Second, and most important, I realized how truly, truly for granted I, and I would assume most others who are born free and full American citizens, take the blessings and responsibilities that come with being a member of the citizenship of this great nation.

Seeing the couple from Brazil tearing up while singing the Star Spangled Banner, the Polish woman clapping for each and every name called up to the podium to receive a certificate of citizenship, and the little, old, adorable Jamaican woman smiling proudly in front of a cutout of Lady Liberty while her family took pictures to document the momentous day, truly touched me and made me feel what I was saying, rather than simply reciting words I had been required to memorize to kindergarten, when declaring the words of the Pledge of Allegiance. I’m proud to be an American.