Naturalization On Victoria Day

The United States of America has a rich tapestry of cultures. The country’s heritage and history is firmly rooted in the influx of immigrants who have come to the United States and helped to make this country what it is today. Some have come here seeking solace from religious oppression. Some have come here seeking freedom. And some have come here with a simple desire to live a better life.

Today, May 21, is Victoria Day in Canada. It is the date on which Canadians celebrate the beginning of summer. Victoria Day has been celebrated since long before Confederation in 1867.

Today, May 21, is also Naturalization Day in the United States, or, perhaps more accurately, Allan’s Naturalization Day. Today, I officially became a naturalized US citizen. I don’t have a tale of religious persecution, nor am I running away from political oppression. My tale isn’t dramatic like that, but with that said, it is a tale of naturalization nonetheless.

Canada’s immigrant history is very similar to that of the United States’. All I have to do is look at my own family tree to see it. My grandparents on my father’s side moved to Canada from the Netherlands in 1952 after World War II. My father was born in the Netherlands and eventually became a naturalized citizen of Canada. My mother’s side of the family moved to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia from Germany in 1751. The United States wasn’t even a thought at that point in world history.

I came to this country on August 13, 1990 – a total of 7953 days ago, or 21 years, 9 months, and 9 days. I have called Austin “home” for all but two of those days – the two days I spent on an Amtrak train traveling to my final destination. I was 24 years old, a young man starting his career in earnest, a blank slate spread out in front of me. For me, it wasn’t a case of moving away from something, but rather it was a case of moving towards something – a quality of life that Austin would afford me.

Along the way, I developed a deeper appreciation for the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence – and the values contained therein. These documents are the true fabric of this country. They also espouse values that I think many born and raised here have sadly forgotten or have taken for granted.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

As strong as I feel about those words and values, I finally decided to begin the process of naturalization. It was an odd thought initially, having grown up within one mile – one mile – of the United States and being able to see it from my front window every day. I completed the paperwork, passed my interview, passed my civics test, reading and writing tests. I was approved and then waited for the day.

Lo and behold it finally arrived.

Today, almost 20 years to the day after becoming a permanent resident, I stood to take the oath of allegiance with 898 new immigrants from 84 different countries. I have to admit that it is a touch of dramatic irony that I would become a citizen on a Canadian holiday - Victoria Day. Life is funny that way.

You can never take your history away, and nobody will ever be able to take the Canadian spirit out of me. It is a part of my DNA, a part of my heritage, and perhaps even a part of my legacy. But today, I took an oath to be an American citizen, and I am proud to support and defend the US Constitution.

I was a first generation Canadian. And now, I have become a first generation American.

I think that it would only be appropriate to make note of some people that have been an important part of this story. Immigration attorney Paul Parsons has been involved with keeping all of my paperwork in order, from permanent residency to citizenship. Thanks to Paul, Norma, and Gina for all of their help. It goes without saying that friends and family have certainly been supportive in the process. I owe each and every one of them many thanks.

But there is one particular person that reminds me of the values of being an American citizen. Josh Kennedy is an ultra-runner, a father of three boys, and a West Point graduate and has served this country proudly. My interactions with Josh over the years have reminded me of the ideals of the American dream, the power of freedom of speech, and the true importance of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Josh defines the term “proud American” for me as a person who truly believes in the beauty of being an American for all of the rights, liberties, and responsibilities that this country avails us.

It is one thing to complain about the state of the union, but it is another thing to stand by those beliefs and put a vote down to change it. I can say that it is an honor to now contribute to the democratic process in this country.

Photo credits: cpence