Utah County residents celebrate 4th of July by becoming citizens
Mario Pino shares in an embrace with Socorro Murtillo after he received his citizenship during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Col. Gail Halvorsen, "The Candy Bomber," waves to the crowd during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Officials applaud during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Immigrants are sworn in as American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Immigrants are sworn in as American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
A singer performs during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Mayor Richard Brunst speaks during a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Spectators applaud after a naturalization ceremony at SCERA Park in Orem, Friday, July 1, 2016. A naturalization ceremony is performed during the Freedom Festival annually, giving several immigrants their official documents making them U.S. citizens. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
When James Kommu woke up Friday, he was an Indian citizen, but with a raise of his right hand and twenty minutes of his time he started the Fourth of July weekend as a new U.S. citizen.
Kommu, who came to the United States in 1999 after he was offered a job as a software engineer, has built his life in Utah, which is just one of the reasons he pursued citizenship.
”More than anything else, I love this country and I love the people here,” he said. “I wanted to be part of this country forever.”
Each year as part of the Freedom Festival, a few people who have taken the necessary steps stand before an audience of waving, smiling and crying family and friends to take the Oath of Allegiance.
With their arm raised, the new citizens promise to serve and protect the United States, participate in elections and do their best to support the country.
This year, 18 residents from countries across the world, including Mexico, South Africa, Brazil and the United Kingdom, took the stage and were formally recognized as new citizens.
Orem Mayor Richard Brunst congratulated the new citizens and encouraged them to participate in their newly earned rights and responsibilities.
”What a great day it is to welcome you, our newest citizens,” Brunst said. “You who can bring so much of your energy, your culture, your goals for the future to help build this land for those who are to follow.”
David Bakker said he decided to take this step for his wife, children, brother and mother, who are all American citizens, after moving to the United States from Sydney, Australia, five years ago.
”I love the freedoms of this county and I love the opportunities of this country,” Bakker said
Family was also a motivating factor for Vancouver, British Columbia, native Douglas Wood as he decided to take the steps toward citizenship.
”It’s delightful to be able to do this so close to the Fourth of July,” he said. “The cause of liberty runs deep in our hearts. Canada is a land of liberty but not anything like the United States.”
Wood said the atmosphere surrounding the ceremony was special, because the Freedom Festival events gave him an opportunity to participate and consider what the moment meant to him.
The naturalization ceremony was just one of a line up of other events held this Fourth of July weekend at SCERA Park, including performances of the Cries of Freedom musical, an appearance from the “Candy Bomber” Col. Gail Halvorsen and the Colonial Heritage Festival.
For some, the path to citizenship can be long and arduous. Before applying, candidates are required to have lived in the United States for five years or three years if they are married to a citizen. After that, a lengthy application and interview process culminates in the naturalization ceremony.
Mario Pinto, who is originally from El Salvador, said he decided to go through this process after living in America for more than 25 years because he wanted to participate in the less glamorous responsibilities and rights that come along with being a citizen.
“I love the country,” he said. “The country is in my heart. … Everyday I say ‘Thank God’ for living here.”