Bob CollinsWhile many Americans might sleepwalk their way through the occasional playing of the National Anthem, there’s no mistaking the hearty singing of the anthem at a U.S. naturalization ceremony.
Today at Bethel University, several hundred new citizens sang as if it meant something to them. A moment later, they said the words from U.S. District Court Judge Ann Montgomery that many have waited a lifetime to say.
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 the 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.
After they were sworn in as citizens, Judge Montgomery said the country is like a soup of many ingredients and urged the new Americans to help make it a better-tasting dish.
The majority of new citizens are from eastern Africa.
