Published: July 07, 2008 11:34 am            

Bearing true faith

City hosts first naturalization ceremony in Johnson County

KEENE — Friday saw 139 people from 29 countries gather in Keene’s Callicott Park to take the oath of allegiance and become American citizens. The event marked the first naturalization ceremony to be held in Johnson County. Four Keene residents sat among several dozen additional citizenship candidates who live throughout Texas and the United States.

Keene resident Yddo Ortiz, himself a naturalized citizen who came to Keene in 1960 from Columbia to attend Southwestern Adventist University, lobbied for the ceremony. Ortiz, inspired by patriotism and the words of John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, worked with Keene Mayor Roy Robinson to contact the Dallas and Washington D.C. offices of the Department of Homeland Security Services U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Numerous small towns petition to host such ceremonies, Robinson said, but few wish to have them on the Fourth of July. Keene residents consider Independence Day the most obvious choice, Robinson said.

Officials from the Citizenship and Immigration Office on hand agreed.

“It’s only fitting that as we celebrate the birth of our country, you get the chance to do the same,” said Randal Nash, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services Dallas branch chief.

Other participants in the ceremony included State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford, several Keene council members and representatives from SWAU and the Keene Chamber of Commerce. Terry’s Texas Rangers arrived in period regalia and shot off two cannons. The Brazos Chamber Orchestra provided patriotic music.

“What a beautiful day,” Robinson told the crowd. “Many from other countries have come here to attend SWAU and get their education. This is the first time immigrants have been able to say the pledge and receive their citizenship here. You’re here. This is your day. Enjoy it.”

Chris Carpenter, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services adjudication officer, asked candidates to stand as he called out their country of birth.

When Carpenter asked if he forgot anyone, one man from Eritrea and another from Spain stood.

“Have I left out any other countries?” Carpenter asked.

“You forgot Oklahoma,” Nash joked.

The candidates raised their right hands as Lisa Kehl, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services district director, delivered the oath of allegiance.

“You made it,” Orr said. “Now you bring your talent, strengths and vision to our country. Many American-born citizens I think sometimes take the freedoms we’re born with for granted. I can assure you, that’s not the case today.”

Among the new citizens was David Knight, vice president of student services at SWAU, and his wife, Juliet Knight, and son, Jono Knight. The Knights arrived in Keene in 1985 from Toronto, Canada, from Barbados, David Knight said.

“It feels awesome to finally receive citizenship,” David Knight said. “We’re no longer guests in America. It feels like family.”

Jessica Knight, David and Juliet’s American-born daughter, was thrilled to watch her parents and brother become citizens.

“Now they can enjoy what I’ve enjoyed my whole life,” Jessica Knight said.

Another Keene resident, Veronique Wiist, originally from Switzerland, called the day especially meaningful as it occurred on Independence Day in her hometown.

“I’m excited that I finally get to vote in my first election,” Wiist said. “And the fact that my first time will be a presidential election is pretty cool.”

Wiist’s husband, Michael Wiist, joked that his wife talked about how she couldn’t serve jury duty over the years and joked that she should finally get her chance.

“It was just a beautiful, special day that exceeded my expectations,” Ortiz said after the ceremony. “We’d like to do this again. Of course, we have to apply and go through the process again each time.”

Which may not be a problem. Carpenter said he and everyone from the Dallas office were highly impressed with the turnout and welcome Keene provided.

        

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