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Show THE Page 8 OGDEN VALLEY NEWS March Volume XI_ Issue X 1, 2005 The Day We Became Americans... he lady put a white envelope in my hands. “Congratulations!” she said with a big, warm smile. In the left corner was printed, “THE WHITE HOUSE” and in the middle of the envelope, “A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.” Inside I found a letter with the White House watermark at the top. It was signed by President Bush. “Dear Fellow Americans,” the letter started and I shed the thought in awe. It was February 15, 2005 and Johan and I were at the swearing in ceremony in Salt Lake City. We were about to be sworn in as American citizens, pledging allegiance to the American flag. I will not be a South African anymore. My passport will be an American passport. Can one become an American just like that? I wondered. I wasn’t born in this country— how can one truly be a citizen ofa country in which you were not born? My forefathers did not settle this country; they settled South Africa. My family in South Africa goes back many generations—tright back to the first settlers that settled that dark continent. In the 1600s, they came in sailing ships all the way from France to the nape of Good Hope at the very point of Afric At the final interview the interviewer at the Department of Homeland Security asked How many stripes on the United States flag?” “Thirteen,” I answered. “What do they stand for?” He asked. “For the first thirteen colonies,” I replied “Who was the President during the Civil “Abraham Lincoln...” I responded. “Which State became the 50" State in America?” “Hawaii,” I said. “Who was known as the Father of the Nation?” came the next question “President Washington.” l answered. And so the questions continued. When Johan and I passed this final citizenship interview, we thought that it was very easy and really a pleasant experience with everyone smiling and Coe us. long Green Card process was nothing like sist It was a harrowing experience. When we applied for our citizenship, the authorities knew that we n’t a threat to the country in any possible wal had checked during the Green Card process. f Yolandi, Dreinie, and Johan Hattingh with their certificates of citizenship. We were also asked questions at our final interview for our Green Card, but the questions were different; they were very, very serious. It was insulting and intruded on our privacy. We were never greeted with a smile like when we went for our citizenship. were all aware of the fact that if anything did not check out, we would be put on a bus for the airport—never to return. Johan, my three children (17, 15 and 8), and I had to go through a whole day of medical examinations, blood samples, and X-rays to determine if we had any illness that was unaccept- h ; 2 eo , t $185,000 3 BD OH aRe a ‘ prop Q bats Tet ae OR t 6 . 9 a 0 , fe oa i able in America. And at the final interview, we all appeared in front ofa judge who asked us all (even my 8- yer ¢traumatic questions. “Did you ever take part in any communistic activities?” “Have ea ever practiced prostitution?” “Have you ever committed a crime that you did not report to the police?” Those were only a few of the unsettling questions. After each of us were interrogated, the judge opened our medical results (which we could not see beforehand) and read it quietly. We sat their waiting, much like a criminal would while waiting for a sentence. If the judge found anything “wrong” in those medical reports, it would be the end. When that judge reached over and shook our hands one by one and welcomed us to the United States, we did not feel the sweet emotional feelings we felt after we passed our “test” at the final Citizen Interview. This time it was as if we could breathe again; we were totally overcome with the idea that we could stay in America forever and ever. We did not just come to America to have a better life; we felt that we had to adopt this country heart and soul or not at all; it was going to be all or nothing. We would become American Citizens and give this incredible country and its brave citizens our full and total support. While the ushers directed the visitors to their seats, | again read President Bush’s letter. “Dear Fellow Americans: I am pleased to congratulate you on becoming a United States citizen. You are now a part ofa great and blessed Nation. know your family and friends are proud of you on this special day. ~ By Drienie Hattingh Adi ip Se Americans are united across the genera- tions by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, and that no insignificant person was ever born. Our country has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by principles that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests, and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every citizen must uphold these principles. And every new citizen, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American. As you begin to participate fully in our democracy, remember that what you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to serve your new Nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens building communities of service and a Nation of character. Americans are generous and strong and decent not because we elieve in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this pir it is present, no wrong can stand against Welcome to the joy, responsibility and freedom of American citizenship. God bless you, and God bless America. Sincerely, George W. Bush I sat in awe and again tears formed in my eyes. This letter answered the questions that Id been battling since we began this quest to become American citizens. Could I really be an American citizen even though I wasn’t born here? The forefathers of this country fought and died for American citizens who came before me—not for me who only came to this country recently. Can this truly be my country too “Yes!” I answered my own questions triumphantly after reading the letter from my new President. And there, sitting next to Johan while waiting to be sworn in, I read the part = that struck me so profoundly. Our country has never been united by blood or bir b or soil. We are bound by principles that move us beyond our grounds, lift us above our interests, teach us what it means to be citizens. citizen must uphold these principles. every new citizen, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American. It goes without saying that tears ran down my cheeks when the judge told us to put our hands over our hearts and turn to face our new flag—that star spangled banner—and sing the national anthem. It goes without saying that I could only mouth some of the words in the oath of allegiance; the lump in my throat was just too big. . | wondered.. ny forefathers felt‘when they left France ‘ami ‘heaan a » life in a new world at the point of Africa. Did they also feel a stab of guilt about denouncing their country of birth? Did they shed tears like I was because they were sad and glad at the same time? Did their emotions vary between sadness thinking of their family that stayed behind in their land of birth, and enormous thankfulness for the opportunity to start over in a great new land with their wives and their children? aise your right hand and repeat after me...” The judge’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I raised my right hand along with the ad new American citizens around me. n I hereby declare, on oath repeated the words out lou that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which have heretofore been a subject or citizen... I could only mouth these words because my throat was hurting terribly. I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of merica against all enemies, ee and domestic “ T found my vi again _ 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 CITIZENS p 3 @ g cont. on page 12 @ 33D OGDEN VALLEY PROPERTIES NORDIC VALLEY 1 AC wooded, stream and extraordinary views $70,000 10 AC, wooded, serene and private $255,000 50 AC - Nordic Valley Rd-Incl. 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