Earlier this summer my daughter-in-law, Violeta Rodriguez Stauffer, joined the staff of the Iola Register, working in graphic design.
Last week, Violeta became a citizen of the United States, participating in the July 19 naturalization ceremony at the Lied Center in Lawrence.
We had no idea how emotional the day would be. Knowing only our story, we could only extrapolate the intensity of our emotions to the other 330 applicants and their family and friends that created a palpable buzz throughout the auditorium.
Generations of families came dressed in their Sunday finest to celebrate the long-awaited day. Babies cried. Grandparents soothed. Teens texted.
I dont know all of the hoops Violeta has had to jump through these past five years leading up to the ceremony, other than theres been a lot of hurry up and wait to the process.
A native of El Salvador, Violeta has made great sacrifices to come here, leaving the entirety of her family and friends to make a new life with my son, Tim, and now their son, Lucas, 19 months. I cant imagine the loss, the challenge of speaking and thinking in a new language, the yearning to feel at home where nothing is familiar.
As opposed to the many stories you read about Salvadorans and their desperate plight to escape violence, Violetas was one of modest success. Equipped with a masters in marketing, she held a comfortable position at a TV station in San Salvador in its marketing department.
When Tims stint with the Peace Corps in El Salvador ended, he returned stateside. The time apart proved too painful and they decided to marry. Right away. Once Violeta set foot in the United States, she had six weeks to sign on the dotted line of the marriage certificate, or else face deportation. The wedding was a small affair of six. Later that summer they did it again before friends and family.
THANKFULLY, those who officiated Thursday understood such stories.
To begin the ceremony, citizens of the 69 countries represented were recognized, from Afghanistan to Vietnam, over the course of 15 minutes as their citizens stood to applause. Mexico, India and China had the most.
It was interesting to note the number of elderly applicants. One could only imagine their stories leading up to this fateful day.
As he looked out across the crowd of applicants, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree explained that the oath they were about to take, requires you to renounce your obedience and fidelity to all other countries, states or sovereigns, because after you take this oath you will owe your entire allegiance to your new country, the United States of America.
The footnote to that point is this does not mean you have to stop being proud of your heritage, your country of birth.
I know theres great enthusiasm we have heard it this morning for your country of birth. You should continue that pride. I married into an Irish family and St. Patricks Day is observed with great gusto. So whatever the equivalent of that is in your country you should continue to respect and honor it.
The second part of the oath of allegiance asks that you support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all its enemies, both foreign and domestic. This duty is the solemn responsibility of every citizen of the United States, whether born here or called to come here.
