American Dream

This afternoon, Patrice joined 52 other newly minted US citizens in a moment that culminated a years-long journey.

When Patrice was very young, in his early twenties, he left his native France in pursuit of what we call the "American Dream." He left his home country to escape the stranglehold of socialism and to pursue happiness in the form of freedom and liberty to succeed or fail by his own actions, to labor for himself, and to keep the fruits of his labor, rather than hand them over to a corrupt (yet somehow morally superior?) government system to disperse among the entitled population getting by on social security, disability, and other public funded welfare programs.

Is there a better time to become a citizen than now, where we witnessed this very week the power of the vote, the demonstration of a frustrated public who will be pushed only so far, and no further? A time where our lifestyle and values are being threatened by a tyrannical government that wants with all its might to take over every aspect of our lives? Now, as an American, Patrice has a voice and a vote. He gets to participate in the democracy that guarantees the blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The road to citizenship began several years ago, when Patrice first entered the country. He brought a suitcase, less than $100, and fewer than 5 words of English. He learned the language, went to work, and eventually arrived at the courthouse in Tucson where he recited the Pledge of Allegiance with his fellow Americans.

Enter cynical me. There were a couple of stumbling blocks in the path...we moved from Colorado to Arizona after he started the application process, and somehow, the government institution screwed up the paperwork (surprise) and process to change the address. Patrice received his notice to have his fingerprints taken at our Arizona address, asking him to report in Aurora, Colorado. It took several phone calls to finally correct that problem. Once he cleared that hurdle, he spent several evenings studying the 100 questions about American history, government, and civics from which the questions would be selected for his exam. As we reviewed together, I was pleased that I would certainly pass the test without studying, but ashamed to realize how many questions I did not know the answers to. On the day of the exam, Patrice was prepared to demonstrate fluency in the language, culture, and history of this great nation. He was asked 6 civics questions, had to read and write the phrase "We the People." All of this available in Spanish, in case he needed a translation, and administered by Mexicans. Sorry, Mexican-Americans. This took 5 minutes. He passed. He was given a date to appear at the courthouse to take his oath and be sworn in as a naturalized citizen. (Exit cynical me.)

Today, Patrice came home and picked us up to go along with him to the courthouse. We stood in line with the other candidates and their friends and families to pass through the security screening. On the wall, there was a sign listing things you cannot bring into the building. The words "NO CAMERAS" were printed in large, bold letters. I wanted to cry and could not believe that I would not be allowed to document the ceremony for our family annals. But, being the obedient girl that I am, I ran back to the car and put the camera away to avoid a lecture from the security officers and a disturbance that could delay or prevent me from watching my husband take his oath. I made it back in plenty of time, and we entered the jury assembly room, periodically lit by the flashes of cameras as candidates and their families stood together in front of the judge's bench and the flag and the seal of the USA at the front of the podium. What the what??? Of course cameras are allowed. OF COURSE THEY ARE!!! So, I beat myself repeatedly on the forehead for taking my camera back to the car and settled for whatever pictures I could get from Patrice's phone. Oh, wait. What was that announcement? NO CELL PHONES DURING THE CEREMONY??? YOU WILL BE ISSUED A CITATION IF YOU USE YOUR CELL PHONE??? Almost in tears, I silently vowed to memorize every moment so I could document it in words, if not pictures. Then I just decided to throw caution to the wind and turn the cell phone to silent in order not to interrupt the ceremony and be issued a citation. Such a rebel! (pictures will be added later when Patrice gets home and I have access to the phone again)

Re-enter cynical me. There was a young hispanic gentleman translating every spoken word for the candidates in Spanish. I couldn't help feeling disgusted and insulted. I may have even vomited in my mouth a little. I am sure the Vietnamese and Somalian candidates appreciated the translation as much as my French candidate did.

The candidates signed in and took their seats in the first 3 rows. Their countries of origin were acknowledged. There were people from France, Italy, Ukraine, China, Vietnam, Canada, England, Somalia, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Spain, Uruguay, and Mexico. The Mexican contingent, very appropriately for the solemnity of the setting and the occasion, shouted and clapped, instantly transforming the ceremony to the atmosphere of a soccer game. Nice. (Blech...okay, exit, cynical me.) We all stood as the Judge entered. He welcomed the candidates and expressed his pleasure and pride in the assembled group. He spoke as a citizen, welcoming them to the land of the free and the home of the brave. He commended them as a judge, for taking the proper and lawful route to citizenship. He admonished the crowd to enjoy the blessings offered by this great nation.

Then the candidates all stood and took their oath:

I, (Patrice Boudou), here 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.

Following the naturalization oath, we all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I got a little choked up. So did my husband. Following the pledge, the Judge invited anyone to share their stories or feelings at this solemn occasion. He looked around the room at timid faces who were not inclined to speak. Full of emotion and not wanting this moment to pass without any words from the audience, I stood and told how my husband left his country many years ago to pursue his dreams in freedom and liberty, and how pleased and proud I am this day to call him "My Fellow American."