Look... Over there... It's an American
Jun 26th 2004, 12:36 am
#1
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Look... Over there... It's an American
After 6.5 years, the immigration monkey is finally off my back! 
Sheila and I left home at 8:30 am for the two hour drive to Lexington. We took in a leisurely breakfast at Cracker Barrel and arrived at the court house at 11:30. The court house is one of the older buildings in Lexington. Dating back to 1901 and ornately decorated in marble and oak, the atmosphere was very austere and, I believe, a perfect setting for the naturalization ceremony. We showed our ID to the officers and were directed to the "jury selection" room where we could wait. There were already 10 or so people in the room when we arrived. We sat down and waited patiently.
At 12:30, the Deputy Director of Louisville's USCIS office arrived and we were asked to hand in our appointment letter and green card. I was a bit amazed that one or two of the folks did not have all their paperwork with them. After a while, the family members were asked to make their way to the court room while we applicants were asked to stay behind. We were assigned a seat number for the court room and I felt somewhat Borg-ish in a Star Trek: Next Generation sort of way. I was 34 of 38. As it turns out, 2 people did not show up for the ceremony so there were actually only 36 of us present. We were soon ushered out of the waiting room and made our way upstairs to the second floor court room.
At exactly 1:30, Judge Jennifer B. Coffman entered the room, we all stood up, down came the gavel, and court was in session. The US attorney addressed the judge and indicated he had three motions to present to the court - the first was a motion for naturalization on behalf of the 36 applicants present; the second was a motion on behalf of the six applicants who had applied for name changes; and the third was a motion for continuance on behalf of the two applicants who did not attend. The judge said she would be glad to hear the attorney's motions and, in response to the first motion, we were asked to stand to take the Oath of Allegiance. The court clerk read the oath and as it ended, we all said "I do". After sitting, the judge agreed to allow the name changes as presented, and agreed to allow a continuance for the two missing applicants. She then asked several members of the Daughters of the American Revolution to come forward and address the "new citizens". After this, the entire room stood, turned towards the flag, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm not too proud to admit that reciting the Pledge brought a tear to my eye.
The judge then recited a beautiful piece of prose written by George Mardikian - an Armenian born, naturalized citizen who became a successful businessman and author, and who was awarded the US Medal of Freedom for his service to US servicemen during the Korean war.
"You who have been born in America, I wish I could make you understand what it is like not to be an American -- not to have been an American all your life -- and then suddenly with the words of a judge in flowing robes to be one, for that moment and forever after. One moment, you belong with your fathers to a million dead yesterdays -- the next you belong with America to a million unborn tomorrows."
With that reading, the judge brought the ceremony to a close. She said we could pick up our certificate and gifts from the DAR representatives, and if we wanted photos taken, she'd be happy to pose with us. Then, down came the gavel and court was adjourned.
We lined up for our certificate, and family members came to the front of the room. Judge Coffman let folks take as many photos as they wanted. We all waited patiently yet eagerly for our turn to thank the judge, to have photos taken, and to receive our coveted naturalization certificates.
Sheila took many photos, but I like these two best. I've got them posted on my K-1 web site. The first is me with Judge Coffman and the second is me and my prize!
http://medix.marshall.edu/~levstein1...0&%20Judge.jpg
http://medix.marshall.edu/~levstein1/k-1/images/Ian.jpg
Ian (and Sheila)
---------------------------------------------------
Timeline:
Mailed I-129F: November 28, 1997
K-1 interview in Montreal: March 27, 1998
Married Sheila: May 23, 1998
Filed for AoS: June 15, 1998
AoS interview: February 20, 2001
Received PR status: March 4, 2001
Applied for Citizenship: December 8, 2003
NoA: Priority date - December 11, 2003
Fingerprinted: January 20, 2004
Citizenship Interview: May 5, 2004 – Passed
Oath Ceremony: June 25, 2004 – and the journey is over!
Sheila and I left home at 8:30 am for the two hour drive to Lexington. We took in a leisurely breakfast at Cracker Barrel and arrived at the court house at 11:30. The court house is one of the older buildings in Lexington. Dating back to 1901 and ornately decorated in marble and oak, the atmosphere was very austere and, I believe, a perfect setting for the naturalization ceremony. We showed our ID to the officers and were directed to the "jury selection" room where we could wait. There were already 10 or so people in the room when we arrived. We sat down and waited patiently.
At 12:30, the Deputy Director of Louisville's USCIS office arrived and we were asked to hand in our appointment letter and green card. I was a bit amazed that one or two of the folks did not have all their paperwork with them. After a while, the family members were asked to make their way to the court room while we applicants were asked to stay behind. We were assigned a seat number for the court room and I felt somewhat Borg-ish in a Star Trek: Next Generation sort of way. I was 34 of 38. As it turns out, 2 people did not show up for the ceremony so there were actually only 36 of us present. We were soon ushered out of the waiting room and made our way upstairs to the second floor court room.
At exactly 1:30, Judge Jennifer B. Coffman entered the room, we all stood up, down came the gavel, and court was in session. The US attorney addressed the judge and indicated he had three motions to present to the court - the first was a motion for naturalization on behalf of the 36 applicants present; the second was a motion on behalf of the six applicants who had applied for name changes; and the third was a motion for continuance on behalf of the two applicants who did not attend. The judge said she would be glad to hear the attorney's motions and, in response to the first motion, we were asked to stand to take the Oath of Allegiance. The court clerk read the oath and as it ended, we all said "I do". After sitting, the judge agreed to allow the name changes as presented, and agreed to allow a continuance for the two missing applicants. She then asked several members of the Daughters of the American Revolution to come forward and address the "new citizens". After this, the entire room stood, turned towards the flag, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm not too proud to admit that reciting the Pledge brought a tear to my eye.
The judge then recited a beautiful piece of prose written by George Mardikian - an Armenian born, naturalized citizen who became a successful businessman and author, and who was awarded the US Medal of Freedom for his service to US servicemen during the Korean war.
"You who have been born in America, I wish I could make you understand what it is like not to be an American -- not to have been an American all your life -- and then suddenly with the words of a judge in flowing robes to be one, for that moment and forever after. One moment, you belong with your fathers to a million dead yesterdays -- the next you belong with America to a million unborn tomorrows."
With that reading, the judge brought the ceremony to a close. She said we could pick up our certificate and gifts from the DAR representatives, and if we wanted photos taken, she'd be happy to pose with us. Then, down came the gavel and court was adjourned.
We lined up for our certificate, and family members came to the front of the room. Judge Coffman let folks take as many photos as they wanted. We all waited patiently yet eagerly for our turn to thank the judge, to have photos taken, and to receive our coveted naturalization certificates.
Sheila took many photos, but I like these two best. I've got them posted on my K-1 web site. The first is me with Judge Coffman and the second is me and my prize!
http://medix.marshall.edu/~levstein1...0&%20Judge.jpg
http://medix.marshall.edu/~levstein1/k-1/images/Ian.jpg
Ian (and Sheila)
---------------------------------------------------
Timeline:
Mailed I-129F: November 28, 1997
K-1 interview in Montreal: March 27, 1998
Married Sheila: May 23, 1998
Filed for AoS: June 15, 1998
AoS interview: February 20, 2001
Received PR status: March 4, 2001
Applied for Citizenship: December 8, 2003
NoA: Priority date - December 11, 2003
Fingerprinted: January 20, 2004
Citizenship Interview: May 5, 2004 – Passed
Oath Ceremony: June 25, 2004 – and the journey is over!
Jun 26th 2004, 12:53 am
#2
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Ian and Shelia
First, Ian, congratulations on your new status as a US Citizen. Your ceremony and the proceedings sound wonderfully emotional and filled with pomp and circumstance. Just as such an occasion should be.
Second, Shelia, thank you for bringing this lovely man to our country to become a part of it as he has become a part of your life.
Third, as a US Citizen by birth, I welcome you to our nation and hope that it stands by you as you have and will stand by it.
Congratulations
Rita and Jim
Can/Am Alumni '98
PS Love your pictures and that smile says it all !!!!!!!
First, Ian, congratulations on your new status as a US Citizen. Your ceremony and the proceedings sound wonderfully emotional and filled with pomp and circumstance. Just as such an occasion should be.
Second, Shelia, thank you for bringing this lovely man to our country to become a part of it as he has become a part of your life.
Third, as a US Citizen by birth, I welcome you to our nation and hope that it stands by you as you have and will stand by it.
Congratulations
Rita and Jim
Can/Am Alumni '98
PS Love your pictures and that smile says it all !!!!!!!
Jun 26th 2004, 1:42 am
#3
Former Blonde
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: In a wibbly-wobbly world of my own
Posts: 1,380
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Many congratulations to you Ian!!! It must've been a wonderful feeling to be at that ceremony!
As Rete says - your smile says it all - grinning from ear-to-ear like a Cheshire cat!!!
Great piccies!
Best wishes
Tam
As Rete says - your smile says it all - grinning from ear-to-ear like a Cheshire cat!!!
Great piccies!
Best wishes
Tam
Jun 26th 2004, 1:51 am
#4
Banned
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,933
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Originally posted by ian-mstm
<snip>
After this, the entire room stood, turned towards the flag, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm not too proud to admit that reciting the Pledge brought a tear to my eye.
<snip>
After this, the entire room stood, turned towards the flag, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm not too proud to admit that reciting the Pledge brought a tear to my eye.
Congratulations!! It's finally over....
Jun 26th 2004, 1:53 am
#5
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 53
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Great pictures!
Great pictures!
Jun 26th 2004, 2:03 am
#6
AOS-LA District Office
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 140
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Many Congratulations Ian!
Now you can apply for your own American Passport
Maria
Now you can apply for your own American Passport
Maria
Jun 26th 2004, 8:59 am
#7
heading to Ohio
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: England (Cambs)
Posts: 58
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Congratulations - you look so proud American has gained a good 'un !
It must be a wonderful feeling to know that you have no more immigration forms to fill ever again - what will you do with all that nw free time :-)
It must be a wonderful feeling to know that you have no more immigration forms to fill ever again - what will you do with all that nw free time :-)
Jun 26th 2004, 1:16 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: PA (me)/ UK (him)
Posts: 144
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Congratulations! Love the pictures.. you look so happy!
Jun 26th 2004, 1:41 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio - Texas
Posts: 81
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Congratulations ~ thank you for sharing your day with us!
Great pictures!
Great pictures!
Jun 26th 2004, 11:19 pm
#10
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Originally posted by ian-mstm
After 6.5 years, the immigration monkey is finally off my back!
Sheila and I left home at 8:30 am for the two hour drive to Lexington. We took in a leisurely breakfast at Cracker Barrel and arrived at the court house at 11:30. The court house is one of the
After 6.5 years, the immigration monkey is finally off my back!
Sheila and I left home at 8:30 am for the two hour drive to Lexington. We took in a leisurely breakfast at Cracker Barrel and arrived at the court house at 11:30. The court house is one of the
HURRAY!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
The Journey is over!!.
Thank you so much for the pictures, you look SO Happy!!, It is the first time I don't need to ask someone to post pictures!!
Jun 26th 2004, 11:24 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Kentucky (husband is from W. Yorkshire)
Posts: 227
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Congratulations Ian from another Kentuckian (well, actually Michigander but now living in KY for 26 years!)! Are you now eligible to vote in November? My husband would love to be able to vote against Bush this year, but alas is not eligible to apply for citizenship until next year.
Dawn
Dawn
Jun 26th 2004, 11:32 pm
#12
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Originally posted by psychobabbler1
Congratulations Ian from another Kentuckian (well, actually Michigander but now living in KY for 26 years!)! Are you now eligible to vote in November? My husband would love to be able to vote against Bush this year, but alas is not eligible to apply for citizenship until next year.
Dawn
Congratulations Ian from another Kentuckian (well, actually Michigander but now living in KY for 26 years!)! Are you now eligible to vote in November? My husband would love to be able to vote against Bush this year, but alas is not eligible to apply for citizenship until next year.
Dawn
Bummer!!Have a nice weekend!
Jun 27th 2004, 1:58 am
#13
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Originally posted by psychobabbler1
Congratulations Ian from another Kentuckian (well, actually Michigander but now living in KY for 26 years!)! Are you now eligible to vote in November?
Congratulations Ian from another Kentuckian (well, actually Michigander but now living in KY for 26 years!)! Are you now eligible to vote in November?
In fact, one things I left out of the story is that the League of Women Voters had a booth set up outside the courtroom and they were doing voter registrations for all the new citizens. Ian
Jun 27th 2004, 5:38 am
#14
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Originally posted by ian-mstm
Yes, I can vote! In fact, one things I left out of the story is that the League of Women Voters had a booth set up outside the courtroom and they were doing voter registrations for all the new citizens.
Ian
Yes, I can vote!
In fact, one things I left out of the story is that the League of Women Voters had a booth set up outside the courtroom and they were doing voter registrations for all the new citizens. Ian
How cool!!! Congrats again Ian!
My kitten is "hanging" from the couch, and guess what? He is asleep!! lol
Jun 27th 2004, 9:17 am
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 75
Re: Look... Over there... It's an American
Congrats! one thing.... if i were you .. i would block on the information on your picture! you woouldnt wnt someone to steal your information and stuff like that. just my 2 cents! anyways.. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!