NORTHAMPTON - El Salvador. Colombia. China. Israel. Greece. South Korea. Venezuela. Jamaica. Indonesia. Japan.
A dozen of our newest citizens hail from these countries and every one of them raised their right hands on the lawn of the Hampshire County Courthouse Saturday, the Fourth of July, to take an oath of citizenship.
Amid a breeze just frisky enough to keep the small American flags among the crowd fluttering, several hundred people watched this transformation take place, many of them dabbing away tears.
"It is a special pleasure to be present as this new door opens for you, and for all of us, on this particular day," said U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor, as he looked directly at these eager new citizens.
Recalling the colonies
"Exactly 233 years ago, 56 men representing the 13 colonies that then comprised the United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence establishing this nation. It was a portentous and daring moment."
Sitting in metal folding chairs under a canopy of trees on the courthouse lawn, the 12 candidates for citizenship were well aware of the significance and symbolism of becoming new citizens on this particular day, July 4.
Naoharu Tsuboi who came to this country 20 years ago to attend the Berklee College of Music, traveled to Northampton from his home in Lexington for the event.
"I just wanted this day to be a citizen," said Tsuboi, 38, dressed in military uniform. Tsuboi, who manages a restaurant in Cambridge, said it was worth the trip: "It is America's birthday."
His wife, Yukako, and their children, Colin, 5 (dressed smartly in navy blue shorts, a matching suit coat, and tie), and Leon, 1, watched.
Later Yukako said becoming a U.S. citizen has long been her husband's dream and she hopes to become a citizen next year.
"Our country remains strong in large part because of the energy and fresh perspectives that new citizens bring to the national stage," Ponsor told the group. "Those of us who are already citizens trust that your new national identification will help your lives blossom and we know you will bring so much that is healthy, vigorous and optimistic to our country."
He urged them to exercise one of the most precious privileges that accompanies citizenship, the right to vote. And he gently told them that in becoming new citizens, they must not give up their past.
"The richness of this country depends upon the willingness of our newest citizens to add their voices to all of ours, voices rising out of their own cultural histories, heightening the vividness of our nation's colors and the piquancy of its flavor, in the common cause of making a better, more vibrant America," said Ponsor.
"Today this nation's history will become your own and the daring act of July 4, 1776, will now be part of the foundation of your life and the lives of your family. Your individuality will in turn enhance our evolving nation."
The naturalization ceremony included no small amount of pomp and circumstance - that was the point after all. There was a color guard, presented by the Florence VFW Post 8006, the singing of the national anthem, the recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance," (led by one of the new citizens), and the official opening and closing of the Honorable Judge Michael Ponsor's courtroom, which for this auspicious occasion, was a lawn.
And when all was said and done, there was the pealing of an historic bell, 12 times. One for each new citizen.
reprinted with permission of Daily Hampshire Gazette