On July 3, the USS Hornet welcomed 76 newly minted Americans in a naturalization ceremony hosted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
USCIS holds naturalization ceremonies every year on the eve of Independence Day, but this year’s national ceremonies weren’t publicized, likely due to federal pressure on immigrants as well as naturalized citizens.
The event was held at the aft section of the Hornet’s Hangar Deck, with a giant American flag welcoming prospective citizens and their friends and family. As people filed in, a capella singing group TOSCA—the East Bay wing of the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus—sang a medley of patriotic songs such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “America the Beautiful.” The patriotic spirit in the air was palpable, with the audience raising and twirling their handheld American flags during “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard served as color guard and presented the U.S. and Department of Homeland Security flags to open the proceedings. TOSCA member Chris Poston then took the stage to sing an a capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, met with enthusiastic applause.
Vice Chair of the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum Maureen Whalen Vavra gave the welcoming remarks, stating, “We, the Hornet team, look forward to this day every year. It is one of our favorite events because of its special significance.”
San Francisco USCIS Field Office Director Hannah Lam spoke at the podium after Whalen Vavra.
“Each of you has distinct stories. You bring with you the traditions and cultures of over 25 different countries,” Lam said. As she read out the countries from which the soon-to-be-citizens emigrated, each person stood. Countries represented were Afghanistan, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eritrea, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zambia.
Lam then administered the Oath of Allegiance once all were standing. At 10:35 a.m., 76 new U.S. citizens were officially sworn in.
Jordan M. Baldueza, Commander of the Sector San Francisco United States Coast Guard, delivered the keynote address.
“The USS Hornet is a powerful symbol of courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to freedom that defines our nation,” Baldueza said. “Today, that commitment to freedom takes on a new and profound meaning as we welcome you all, our newest Americans.”
A new citizen who emigrated from Canada was brought to the stage to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A member of the San Francisco Passport Agency administered the Passport Oath, and then the Coast Guard retired the colors to close off the ceremony.
The new citizens milled about the hangar deck, signed up for their American passports, and rang in Independence Day by celebrating the milestone with their friends and family.
Sindhu Ananthavel is a contributing writer to the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Sindhu-Ananthavel.
