(Host) Every September 11th since the terrorist attacks eight years ago, Vermonters have held a ceremony to welcome new U.S. citizens.
This year, 91 people from 37 countries took the oath of allegiance. The event at the Statehouse celebrated the diversity of the new Vermonters and the freedoms that Americans enjoy.
VPR’s John Dillon was there:
(Oath) "I hereby declare on oath that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure…"
(Dillon) U.S. Judge Peter Hall led the citizenship oath in a Statehouse packed with people who had crossed continents – sometimes even war zones – to become Americans and Vermonters.
The oath says the new citizens have to reject their duty to their old country. And in becoming U-S citizens, Hall said, they also have the responsibility to protect their new constitutional freedoms.
(Hall) "You must remain firm in your convictions and not falter when the cause of freedom is in danger. The right to vote is at risk each time you fail to vote. The right of free speech is threatened whenever you do not speak your own convictions."
(Dillon) Becoming a citizen is a both a ceremonial act and a bureaucratic process. There are forms to fill out and tests to take.
But it’s also an intensely personal decision – and for many — an emotionally joyous event.
Pierre Akpo-Sani was born in Benin in West Africa. He’s lived in the U-S for 35 years, and became a citizen on September 11th.
Tall with graying hair, Akpo-Sani said he was moved by the ceremony. But he was even more touched by a showing of support from those in his Addison County town.
(Akpo-Sani) "Just to tell you I love being part of this community. I coach the seventh and eighth graders soccer in the village of Orwell. And they all surprised me with a visit here this morning. Oh! Just so overwhelming."
(Dillon) Akpo-Sani said when he came here he had to learn English and start a new life. He got a high school diploma, went to college and was hired by the Xerox Corporation.
(Akpo-Sani) "I had a green card, I was doing fine. I worked for the Xerox Corporation for years. And I was retired from there so, but after I moved to Vermont here, and I really got accepted so much into the family. Plus my experiences in the past in this country, I said I really need to be part of the beautiful thing."
(Dillon) Laxman Borse was standing in the Statehouse balcony with a video camera, intent on capturing his family become part of that beautiful thing.
Borse – originally from Mumbai, India – became a citizen in July. His wife and son had to wait until September. The Essex Junction resident came to the U-S in 1998.
(Borse) "When we started our green card, we thought, ‘OK, this country has given us so much. My kids are growing here. They are getting beautiful education in the schools. So it becomes our responsibility also to stay longer and give back to the country that has done so much for us.’"
(Dillon) Judge Peter Hall said many federal judges around the country choose to swear in new citizens on September 11th.
(Hall) "Welcoming their diversity, welcoming their contributions to our society. And I think that stands in stark contrast to the destruction and the tearing down that occurred on September 11th, 2001."
(Dillon) And soon after they became new citizens, many of the new Americans had one more form to fill out. They registered to vote, thanks to volunteers from the League of Women Voters.
For VPR News, I’m John Dillon.