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Families from all over Utah County arrived last week at the SCERA Shell's Ellis Island in the Park experience with very little in hand and left with a great awe of what their ancestors faced in coming to America.
"We came because of our roots. We have family in both England and Germany and I wanted to learn more of what they went through and let my children do the same," said Orem's Darlene Christensen, who brought her family to the event.
"One thing that we learned here today was that there were first and second class citizens back then," Christensen said.
"First class people went straight through without any obstacles and others had to be examined. ... There were many immigrants who were turned away altogether even back then."
In addition to the traditional fireworks and parades, the SCERA Shell welcomed residents from all over July 3, 4 and 5 to the Ellis Island event as part of the Freedom Festival.
The Daily Herald, Boy Scouts of America, Orem City were a few of the sponsors for Ellis Island in the Park.
People of all ages, races, abilities, and economic and religious backgrounds were invited to come together and renew their American citizenship.
Over 200 American flags flew in the breeze, each representing different milestones in American history.
Video presentations of life as an immigrant and crucial documents of American government were one part of the event.
Everyone was given a written test to complete. Some tests were simplified for children, while adults took a more accurate version of the actual citizenship test.
Once the test was scored and passed, then each individual had the opportunity to take the Oath of Citizenship. Each person who completed these tasks received a certificate of citizenship, a passport and a pamphlet of the rights and liberties that are part of living in America.
Ashlee Thompson, age 5, of Pleasant Grove, was impressed with the event.
"At the park we watched a play and we got our picture taken by the flags," she said. It taught us about the America Flag and the Statue of Liberty. I'm glad that I'm in America."
Periodically throughout the day, there was also a grand program of song and dance written and directed by Scott Swain that relived some important earlier dates in American history.
Performers were dressed in colonial attire, including buckles and bows, as they portrayed the hopes and sacrifices of early Americans and the Founding Fathers.
"This event of Ellis Island was to inspire and educate the masses of what it really means to be a true American," Swain said.
"A great deal of work and editing went into the program just to get it down to a 45-minute presentation.
We started doing the Freedom Foundation in the schools to help students understand the ideology, principles, and really remember what it means to live in America as a citizen."
Swain said future school presentations will include the National Treasure Quest for youths ages 14-18 to compete in Freedom Bowls. More information about that activity can be found online at www.rootsoffreedom.com.
Volunteer Mark Hunt managed a booth which was set up to teach how America's government and laws were established and how citizens could maintain their freedoms.
"There are times in a family and in a nation where we must still have hope in America, even when all seems lost," Hunt told the participants. "A good example of such conviction is when George Washington crossed the Delaware.
His army had already seen many adversities and losses in battle; however he stayed focused on the mission of freedom. If one doesn't face those bad times, how can they face, or appreciate, the good, too?" |
