Comments on: Do you promise allegiance?

By: Richard K Miller

Richard K Miller — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:06:28 +0000

Aaron: I was actually surprised by the renouncement in the US oath as well. However, the judge administering the ceremonies didn’t seem to emphasize that point; he emphasized the heritage of all the new citizens, which I thought was cool.

Daniel: I agree that’s a great song. My favorite verse is the 3rd.

By: Daniel Felsted

Daniel Felsted — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:22:29 +0000

The other day we sang America the Beautiful in preparation for independence day. I was struck by the verses of the song. How beautiful they are. How they acknowledge the hand of God in the greatness of America.

As I thought on the words and their meaning… I thought how each verse could be used to teach our children the importance of providence in our lives. How, by the simple act of recognition, our life can have much more meaning than without.

What a pity it is for those who deny that which makes us the greatest nation (freest) in the history of the world.

“Freedom isn’t free” – reading the words to America The Beautiful it is as beautiful as becoming a citizen and the oath that goes along with it.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:00:16 +0000

As a UK citizen, I find US patriotism fascinating and as I read that oath, the part that stuck out was about renouncing citizenship to other countries. Although it makes perfect sense (to prevent potential conflicts of interest), it’s akin to renouncing your background if you’re born elsewhere.

Just out of curiosity I tried to find something similar for the UK but there’s no renouncement of one’s past loyalties here. Our oath for new citizens (since 2004) is: “I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.”

By: David

David — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:53:15 +0000

My wife was sworn in as a citizen at that same ceremony! Congrats to your friend.

By: Richard K Miller

Richard K Miller — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:26:58 +0000

Nic: Yes, it was Fugazza (I should have mentioned it.) It’s nice to still be in touch with you and him 7 1/2 years after we all lived together in Campo Belo.

By: Nic

Nic — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:27:46 +0000

Was it Fugazza?
Thanks for sharing this, Richard; I felt all warm inside as I read it.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:50:48 +0000

I know that I learned a ton about that in Scouting. Our leaders always made it a point to talk about being an american. I can vividly remember my first flag burning ceremony and how important and spiritual that was for me. I also had a grandpa and an uncle in the military and so I had that perspective as well.
For those of us that have left the states we really understand what it is like in other countries and how good we have it. Even going to other first world nations like Japan has really opened my eyes to the value of what we have.
Now that I have kids, and as a cubmaster, I try to think of ways as they get older to help them understand how important it is to them.
This truly is a blessed nation!

By: David

David — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:33:52 +0000

I like that quote by the judge of that (ex)Somalian. I also think your question at the end is very important. We need to make that promise, and we need to teach our children that it is important that each of them be willing to make that promise.