Proud to be an American

My immigration journey has finally come to an end. After passing my citizenship interview yesterday I was asked to return today for my oath ceremony. The ceremony was at the local USCIS office. I had to get in line to verify the information on my Naturalization Certificate and say good bye to my Green Card.
Then we were seated, I got a first row seat :)After a Welcome came the National Anthem, Opening Remarks and a few words from the Field Office Director.
Among me were 60 other Immigrants from 25 different nations. We were asked to stand when our Nation was called. I was the only German.

We then took the Oath of Allegiance
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; 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 the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God"

After the Oath came the Pledge of Allegiance:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

After a welcome message from the President, we received our certificates.

I got to take a picture with the Officer who interviewed me the day before. He was really nice, retired Army and was stationed in Germany twice.

We also received a packet with a welcome letter from the White House, The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States and The Citizen's Almanac

I am now a United States Citizen.

After the ceremony we went out to dinner to celebrate.

Tomorrow morning I'll have to visit the local Social Security Office to change my status and then go to the post office to apply for a US Passport. My voter registration card has already been filled out and I will be allowed to vote in this year's Congressional Elections.