Tyler

By ASHLIE OSBURN
Staff Writer

Hermanna Aarson stood with her right hand raised in the William M. Steger Federal Building and the United States Courthouse, pledging loyalty to the United States of America.

Ms. Aarson and 57 other individuals took the last step in becoming Americans Thursday morning by participating in a naturalization ceremony.

Before the ceremony, the Mary Tyler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, League of Women Voters and the Capt. William Barron chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, spoke of their excitement and patriotic duty to congratulate and welcome new citizens.

“We come to all the naturalization ceremonies, and it’s one of the things we are particularly pleased to do,” said Larry Ashburn, Color Guard Commander for the Sons of the American Revolution.

Smiles beamed from multiple faces, as new U.S. citizens walked in a line to their reserved seats. They represented nine nations: Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, The Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Magistrate John Love presided over the ceremony and began the process with a welcome to the new citizens and their families.

Following the presentation of the American Flag and the pledge of allegiance, Paula Warren, National Vice Chairman of the Daughters of the American Revolution, led the assembly in patriotic songs. She also encouraged new citizens to protect and enjoy the liberties given through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

After accepting the terms, freedoms and obligations as an American citizen, each participant received a flag and congratulations.

“It’s so touching to see how excited these people are,” said Anna Marie Lee, Vice Region of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Ms. Aarson is one of those people. She and her family came to the United States from The Netherlands in 1984 and started a dairy near Sulphur Springs, she said. After years of continuing her business, she decided to become a citizen.

Clifford Davis, a Great Britain national, said after 38 years living in this country he decided to become a citizen, mainly to end the hassle of renewing his green card every 10 years. He also said he loves the United States and enjoys the freedom and voting rights America offers.

“It’s a great honor, a great honor,” said Steve Lee, president of the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter.

Jan Adair, Jury Administrator for the United States Courthouse, said four naturalization ceremonies are performed per year, providing citizenship to about 320 individuals.

Jose Cruz Gonzalez (left) of Mexico and his wife Blanca Lidia Pena, originally from Honduras, are sworn in as American citizens during the Naturalization Ceremony Thursday at the Federal building.
(Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero)