Immigrants were naturalized at the 94th anniversary of National Parks
PICTURED ROCKS -- U.S. citizenship has been a long time coming for Liberia native, Nathaniel Gbessagee. He's been in the states for 20 years, working for foreign services and now getting his PhD in technical communication at Michigan Tech. On Wednesday, he made it official at a naturalization ceremony.
“We all want freedom and we all want to be safe in our homes and everything,” said Gbessagee. “It feels very good because you have time to be able to move on with your life and whatever dreams, goals you set for yourself.”
He was joined by 16 other new citizens from about 10 different countries worldwide.
“It’s wonderful,” said Seong Lee, a new citizen from South Korea. “I've waited almost 18 years.”
The event took place at Miner's Castle at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, marking the 94th anniversary of the National Park Service. And most of the public officials who attended the ceremony agreed there isn't a more majestic place in Michigan to become a U.S. citizen.
“The United States was the first country to start a national park system,” said Congressman Bart Stupak. “It’s a national park, and these new citizens, like all of us, are all owners of these national parks, so I think it's an appropriate setting and it's just a very, very nice location."
An immigrant himself, District Director for Immigration Services, Mick Dedvukaj, offered the new Americans some words of advice.
“The United States does not ask you to surrender your culture or give up your roots; we're very proud, and all immigrants should be proud and never forget their roots,” said Dedvukaj. “Your loyalty is what's important to us, not really where you came from.”
Judging from their smiles, it seems like loyalty shouldn't be too much of a challenge.
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