Thousands Become New Citizens in Boston Ceremony
Date:
09/11/2012
Contributor:
Sarah Birnbaum
Dateline:
Boston More than 2,500 immigrants living in Massachusetts becamse United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Boston.
Thousands gathered inside TD Garden, - home of the Boston Bruins - for the ceremony. They sat on folding chairs where the Bruins ice would usually BE, Images of stars and stripes adorned the LED screens ringing the arena. Among those preparing to recite the oath of citizenship was Patrick Varney Coleman. He’s a 25 year old serving in the US Army. His family fled from Liberia during the civil war to a refugee camp in Ghana, and then eventually sought refuge in the United States. Coleman recently back from deployment in Afghanistan:
"I’ve done a lot for this country and willing to do more. September 11th last year I was serving in Afghanistan. I was attacked in Afghanistan also September 11. So being here last year means a lot to me."
Coleman says he's proud to become an American citizen. And that the US has given him the opportunity to get an education and continue his career.
Once everyone was inside the arena, Samantha Stautenburg of the Boston Federal Court administered the oath of citizenship. The immigrants stood and recited it after her.
“I will support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic….”
The crowd erupted in applause and waived tiny American flags.
Then Judge Douglas Woodlock addressed the new citizens.
"I don’t want to dwell on the anniversary today of 9/11 but it seems to me the one thing we can say the resilience of the United States after that attack is as a result of the many different cultures which have blended together to provide continued support for this nation."
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