From Monticello 7/4/19
I am at Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello, outside of Charlottesville, for the annual
Independence Day celebration. It includes the Oath of Citizenship for newly minted US citizens. This year, there were 80 individuals from 35 countries.
They were citizens of places as diverse, among others, as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Ivory Coast, India, and even Canada and Great Britain. Now they are Americans. They are impressive.
All the more so when one realizes just how much each of those individuals went through to get to that point. What I am loving about this is the number of people who are here, on a typically sweltering, incredibly humid Virginia summer day. All are, no doubt, of different political opinions, but totally and completely united in welcoming our new fellow citizens. It is the best in us on display for the whole world to witness.
At a moment like this, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance should take on a whole new meaning for those of us who were blessed to have been born here. It is, like the Star Spangled Banner, often a lightning rod for controversy. There was not a hint of any such division here.
And isn’t that what we are supposed to be about?
It may not be fashionable to say so in some circles, but may God continue to bless America.
And Americans.
Independence Day celebration. It includes the Oath of Citizenship for newly minted US citizens. This year, there were 80 individuals from 35 countries.
They were citizens of places as diverse, among others, as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Ivory Coast, India, and even Canada and Great Britain. Now they are Americans. They are impressive.
All the more so when one realizes just how much each of those individuals went through to get to that point. What I am loving about this is the number of people who are here, on a typically sweltering, incredibly humid Virginia summer day. All are, no doubt, of different political opinions, but totally and completely united in welcoming our new fellow citizens. It is the best in us on display for the whole world to witness.
At a moment like this, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance should take on a whole new meaning for those of us who were blessed to have been born here. It is, like the Star Spangled Banner, often a lightning rod for controversy. There was not a hint of any such division here.
And isn’t that what we are supposed to be about?
It may not be fashionable to say so in some circles, but may God continue to bless America.
And Americans.
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