We are done!!!

[Staashi 371]

Well, we are done with USCIS. My husband took his oath on the 4th of July, and I must say it was amazingly special. Here's the rundown - We had to be at the US District Courthouse here in Tallahassee, where the judge gave the oath to everyone - only 20 were being naturalized, with 17 going on to a Celebrate America celebration at our park. The other three were elderly or sick, and they were unable to manage the 100 degree heat. One ironic thing - the USCIS representative was actually the same man who did our AOS interview 3 years ago.

We then went by police motorcade to the park here in town. They stopped traffic for us - which made us feel terribly important. They then took my husband and all the others up on stage, where they had the Color Guard and the court's bailiff call court to order - just imagine "All Rise - Hear Ye, Hear Ye - the US District Court is now in session, with the Honorable Judge Sherrill presiding". Quite wild to hear at a park. The magistrate judge asked all the candidates to state their name and country of origin. The US Attorney General made the motion that they be presented as candidates for naturalization - it was moved. Then they were given the oath and said the Pledge of Allegiance. A tenor from Florida State University sang God Bless America and then court was dismissed. All in all, it was a wonderfully solemn and heartfelt ceremony.

I did one thing for my husband, I had a flag flown over the US Capitol building in DC - he was very moved by this gesture. The flag came with a signed certificate. If you are interested in doing something like this, you can contact your US Representative. Also, my aunt and uncle gave my husband my grandfather's US flag that had been draped over his casket, he served in the US Coast Guard during WWII. My husband was so proud to receive not one, but two flags. All in all, it was an amazing day.

I have to say that we are blessed to have completed this journey and I am grateful to all of the people on these boards who have made it fun along the way.

[mrsartis 10]

Yay!. Congratualtions..)

[~krakatoa~ 27]

What a wonderful experience! Thanks for posting. Congratulations to your husband.

[NickD 203]

We did hear on the news that many oath ceremonies had taken place during the 4th, a very fitting day to have that honor. But we unfortunately are a couple of weeks too late. Thank you for sharing your day.

So what about you, Staashi? Still going to hang around on this board for awhile? Was talking about that with my wife this morning, soon all this will be history and maybe time to move on.

[chitown 0]

Well, we are done with USCIS. My husband took his oath on the 4th of July, and I must say it was amazingly special. Here's the rundown - We had to be at the US District Courthouse here in Tallahassee, where the judge gave the oath to everyone - only 20 were being naturalized, with 17 going on to a Celebrate America celebration at our park. The other three were elderly or sick, and they were unable to manage the 100 degree heat. One ironic thing - the USCIS representative was actually the same man who did our AOS interview 3 years ago.

We then went by police motorcade to the park here in town. They stopped traffic for us - which made us feel terribly important. They then took my husband and all the others up on stage, where they had the Color Guard and the court's bailiff call court to order - just imagine "All Rise - Hear Ye, Hear Ye - the US District Court is now in session, with the Honorable Judge Sherrill presiding". Quite wild to hear at a park. The magistrate judge asked all the candidates to state their name and country of origin. The US Attorney General made the motion that they be presented as candidates for naturalization - it was moved. Then they were given the oath and said the Pledge of Allegiance. A tenor from Florida State University sang God Bless America and then court was dismissed. All in all, it was a wonderfully solemn and heartfelt ceremony.

I did one thing for my husband, I had a flag flown over the US Capitol building in DC - he was very moved by this gesture. The flag came with a signed certificate. If you are interested in doing something like this, you can contact your US Representative. Also, my aunt and uncle gave my husband my grandfather's US flag that had been draped over his casket, he served in the US Coast Guard during WWII. My husband was so proud to receive not one, but two flags. All in all, it was an amazing day.

I have to say that we are blessed to have completed this journey and I am grateful to all of the people on these boards who have made it fun along the way.

Staashi Congratulations!!! I am very happy for you, your husband and your whole family !!! So touched with your effort to get your grandfather's flag...

Now officialy your husband is a proud USC

[mooninlove 1]

Well, we are done with USCIS. My husband took his oath on the 4th of July, and I must say it was amazingly special. Here's the rundown - We had to be at the US District Courthouse here in Tallahassee, where the judge gave the oath to everyone - only 20 were being naturalized, with 17 going on to a Celebrate America celebration at our park. The other three were elderly or sick, and they were unable to manage the 100 degree heat. One ironic thing - the USCIS representative was actually the same man who did our AOS interview 3 years ago.

We then went by police motorcade to the park here in town. They stopped traffic for us - which made us feel terribly important. They then took my husband and all the others up on stage, where they had the Color Guard and the court's bailiff call court to order - just imagine "All Rise - Hear Ye, Hear Ye - the US District Court is now in session, with the Honorable Judge Sherrill presiding". Quite wild to hear at a park. The magistrate judge asked all the candidates to state their name and country of origin. The US Attorney General made the motion that they be presented as candidates for naturalization - it was moved. Then they were given the oath and said the Pledge of Allegiance. A tenor from Florida State University sang God Bless America and then court was dismissed. All in all, it was a wonderfully solemn and heartfelt ceremony.

I did one thing for my husband, I had a flag flown over the US Capitol building in DC - he was very moved by this gesture. The flag came with a signed certificate. If you are interested in doing something like this, you can contact your US Representative. Also, my aunt and uncle gave my husband my grandfather's US flag that had been draped over his casket, he served in the US Coast Guard during WWII. My husband was so proud to receive not one, but two flags. All in all, it was an amazing day.

I have to say that we are blessed to have completed this journey and I am grateful to all of the people on these boards who have made it fun along the way.

that's amazing!! congrats!!!

[Staashi 371]

We did hear on the news that many oath ceremonies had taken place during the 4th, a very fitting day to have that honor. But we unfortunately are a couple of weeks too late. Thank you for sharing your day.

So what about you, Staashi? Still going to hang around on this board for awhile? Was talking about that with my wife this morning, soon all this will be history and maybe time to move on.

I think I will hang out for awhile...although I'm not a super platinum member or anything, I think I still have some good advice to give. I enjoy it...always seems like someone is having one immigration crisis or another, and oddly enough, we were able to move through the process relatively painlessly.

Thanks y'all for the well wishes - they are certainly appreciated.

[tammiandtom 0]

Congrats!!!!

[JVKn'CVO 11]

A big congrats! what a lovely post. Wish you both the best

Saludos,

Caro

[KC♥MP 0]

Congratulations!!!

[Angel7422 0]

Congratulations Staashi !!!!

[NickD 203]

Hey Staashi, you had to purchase that flag, right?

Did contact my senator, he sent me a form with a number of flag choices, kind of like that 5 by 8 foot cotton flag for twenty bucks, plus four bucks for raising it above the capitol building and another four bucks to ship it here.

Twenty bucks for a five by eight foot cotton flag is very cheap, are these made in China? Was yours of good quality? Do they really raise it above the capitol building?

[Stef and Kel 0]

Hey Staashi, you had to purchase that flag, right?

Did contact my senator, he sent me a form with a number of flag choices, kind of like that 5 by 8 foot cotton flag for twenty bucks, plus four bucks for raising it above the capitol building and another four bucks to ship it here.

Twenty bucks for a five by eight foot cotton flag is very cheap, are these made in China? Was yours of good quality? Do they really raise it above the capitol building?

Did you know that there is no state or local sales tax on American flags? In NY state we are taxed on everything except for basic food stuffs and .... flags!

How patriotic!

K

[NickD 203]

Hey Staashi, you had to purchase that flag, right?

Did contact my senator, he sent me a form with a number of flag choices, kind of like that 5 by 8 foot cotton flag for twenty bucks, plus four bucks for raising it above the capitol building and another four bucks to ship it here.

Twenty bucks for a five by eight foot cotton flag is very cheap, are these made in China? Was yours of good quality? Do they really raise it above the capitol building?

Did you know that there is no state or local sales tax on American flags? In NY state we are taxed on everything except for basic food stuffs and .... flags!

How patriotic!

K

Did a quick check on google, many are selling flags flown over the US Capitol, but my senator has the best deal, some want as high as 80 bucks for the same flag description plus quite a bit more for S&H. All claimed to be Made in the USA and that is getting very hard to find nowadays. Already filled out the form and sent off the check, such a wonderful gift idea for obtaining U.S citizenship.

Thank you, Staashi for mentioning it.

[Staashi 371]

Hey Staashi, you had to purchase that flag, right?

Did contact my senator, he sent me a form with a number of flag choices, kind of like that 5 by 8 foot cotton flag for twenty bucks, plus four bucks for raising it above the capitol building and another four bucks to ship it here.

Twenty bucks for a five by eight foot cotton flag is very cheap, are these made in China? Was yours of good quality? Do they really raise it above the capitol building?

Did you know that there is no state or local sales tax on American flags? In NY state we are taxed on everything except for basic food stuffs and .... flags!

How patriotic!

K

Did a quick check on google, many are selling flags flown over the US Capitol, but my senator has the best deal, some want as high as 80 bucks for the same flag description plus quite a bit more for S&H. All claimed to be Made in the USA and that is getting very hard to find nowadays. Already filled out the form and sent off the check, such a wonderful gift idea for obtaining U.S citizenship.

Thank you, Staashi for mentioning it.

We got the 3X5 cotton flag - it is lovely, and made in the USA! I found it to be well made with the stripes being individually sewn strips of red and white fabric, the stars are embroidered. It will come in a box with a certificate stating whom and what occasion it was flown for. I highly advise finding a nice flag case to display it in, as you will want to protect it. It really has to be the coolest gift for this type of occasion...what would you give instead for this type of thing??? It seemed to make great sense...and cents, as it was very economical.