Jillian Chantal

I’m very lucky and privileged to belong to two organizations that participate in the local naturalization ceremonies here in my hometown. I have served as the representative of each of these organizations at different times. What this means is that I can go to the ceremonies and have two reserved seats. I can’t always find someone to come with me but once a person attends, it seems they can’t get over how wonderful it is and think we should all get a chance to go.

Each and every time I go, I actually get chills and tears form in my eyes as the candidates stand and take the oath that makes them citizens of these United States. I really believe even those of us who were born here and sometimes take this citizenship for granted should occasionally have to hear these words or even say them ourselves.

Here’s the oath:

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 wen required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any menta reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Wow. Isn’t that powerful? I got chills even typing it. How about you? Did it make you realize that what we have in this land is special?