E Pluribus Unum

I recently had both the pleasure and honor of participating in a Naturalization Ceremony where 43 former immigrants from 26 separate countries became citizens of the United States of America. It was the first such ceremony I ever attended, and I assure you it will not be the last. The two hours spent in that court room will be forever etched in my mind as one of the moments that made me proud to call myself an American.

As the prospective citizens and their families anxiously awaited in the courtroom  you could not help noticing the diversity of those present – all races, religions, and creeds were represented, but they were united by the common bond of their strong desire to become citizens of the greatest Republic ever created. One which continues to provide a beacon of hope to those oppressed or enslaved.

 As we procced through the ceremony which included remarks by Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares and his own story of fleeing from the oppressive regime of Fidel Castro’s Cuba you could literally feel the tension in the room rise as we got closer to the moment of truth – the administration of the oath of citizenship. The applicants raised their right hand, repeated the oath, and the room was all smiles. Where formally they were  immigrants from every corner of the globe, now they were now united as American citizens.

All were given the opportunity to tell their personal story and journey from misery and political persecution to American citizenship. Although reluctant at first to speak, once the first story was told it was as if a floodgate of emotion opened. Many spoke of waiting their turn to enter this country for years in search of a better way of life for them and their families. All indicated that this day was the highlight of their life, and they did not take the responsibilities that goes along with being a citizen lightly.

These Americans did not circumvent the system and cross our borders illegally but rather they waited patiently in line and worked hard to earn the right to be a citizen. Once they recanted their respective journeys  there was not a dry eye in the courtroom as their emotion and stories of self-sacrifice and undue harships made each of us who were born is country realize that we often take for granted - American citizenship is often paid for in full with a heavy price for those born outside of our borders.

As a left I could not help but feel the pride of being an American  and reflecting on the fact that this country has flourished for almost 250 years as a nation captured by the motto of “E pluribus Unum “ Out of many, one. May God bless the United States of America and those who have come from all corners of the globe to form this great melting pot which continues to shine brightly as a beacon of hope and freedom.

James R Poplar III is a retired Navy Commodore and  President of the Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.