Category: Event Listing Date: 2015-06-04
Naturalization 2015
Over one hundred eighty (180) people became citizens of the United States of America on June 4, 2015. Countries of Origin included: Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Canada, People's Republic of China, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, EI Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Somalia, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USSR, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zaire
Kris Dona called The Court to order followed by the Presentation of the United States Flag by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard.
The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by The Honorable Jeffrey L. Viken, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court. The Dakota Choral Union performed the Star Spangled Banner.
The applicants received their certificates on the stage in the amphitheatre and could introduce themselves to the audience if they wished to do so. It was a time of pride and happiness for the new citizens as well as those in the audience.
Sheryl A. Schreier, Superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Judy Allen, President Mount Rushmore Society shared remarks with all in attendance. Sydney Johnson, Hanna Williams, Malachi Ford, and Raleigh Lunerman from Lana Wright's 6th Grade Reading and Research Class, spoke about want being a citizen meant to them.
Oath of Allegegiance
Do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
That you will give up and surrender any allegiance to any king, queen, or prince, or to any state or country, which you have held up until this day;
That as a citizen of the United States, you will, when lawfully directed, bear arms or perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or you will, when directed, perform non-military service on behalf of the United States.
That you take these obligations freely, without any purpose of evasion, and declare today, that you are a citizen of the United States of America?
The Naturalization Ceremony on June 4, 2015 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial was sponsored by the Mount Rushmore Society and the National Park Service.
