This morning our local news reported that over 1,000 immigrants will be taking the Oath of Allegiance for Naturalized Citizens in St Louis. It reminded me of that time in the early 90s when a bunch of us from work journeyed down to the court house in Kansas City to support our friend Mike who was becoming a citizen. Not sure that any of us were ready to hear some 100 or so folks say these words:
I have often wondered how many us born in the USA would say those words. I would - how about you?"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
Oath of Allegiance to the United States taken during
a naturalization ceremony in Portland, Oregon.
If you live in another country would you say the oath for your country?
Last year or the year before they took a poll in Japan about whether or not people were willing to fight for their country (including in the event that another country was invading). 70% or so of the population said, "No."
ReplyDeleteIt is always a great thing to see. Many of us wouldn't even be able to pass the citizensip test.
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