It was a red-letter day, a day of days, or however you signify a day of importance in your life. For on July 12, 2023, 949 people in St. Paul, Minnesota became citizens of the United States. What a day!

We got to the St. Paul RiverCentre a bit after 9 am. Once we were in the building, it took about an hour for the 949 to review their paperwork and the decision to become a citizen. While we waited, we guests fidgeted, searched for our special person, made small talk with our fellow guests, and waited, and waited, and waited.

Finally, when all 949 about-to-be-citizens completed their paperwork and were ushered to their seats, the ceremonies began—sort of. Announcements were made, instructions were given–this reminded me of school. Then, when the court session was called to order, the judge gave a talk–this reminded me of church. At 10:37 am, the the real ceremony began. 949 people stood, raised their right hands and recited the following oath:

“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereign of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject 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 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.”

By 10:40 am, St. Paul, Minnesota welcomed 949 new citizens to the United States. My son-in-law was one of them. Welcome to all of you. Good luck and best wishes for each of you. It was indeed a red-letter day!