Family and friends join 17 new U.S. citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Alamos this morning at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Officer Peter Rechkemmer breaks down the naturalization ceremony to participants Saturday at Fuller Lodge. He also spoke about his experience taking part in his own naturalization ceremony. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Chief U.S. District Judge M. Christina Armijo, who presided over the naturalization ceremony, provided opening remarks. ‘Citizenship is a privilege that should never be taken for granted,’ she said, and encouraged the newly-made U.S. citizens to vote, let their voices be heard, and extend friendship to the elderly, the lonely and the less fortunate. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Rotary Immediate Past President James Nesmith brought the special event to Fuller Lodge. He explained how he has been in involved immigration for more than 30 years. ‘I’ve been privileged to meet incredibly fascinating individuals,’ he said. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Alan Carr, Los Alamos National Laboratory historian, speaks to the new U.S. citizens about those who where born outside the U.S. but immigrated to America and made significant differences right here in Los Alamos. Something which he said he believed the newest group of U.S. citizens will do as well. ‘You will definitely make a difference,’ Carr said. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Christina Martos sings the U.S. National Anthem during the naturalization ceremony. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Seventeen new U.S. citizens raise their hands to take the Oath of Allegiance during this morning’s naturalization ceremony. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Individuals from Chile, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Iraq, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru and Vietnam officially became U.S. citizens during the ceremony at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Cindy Little performs Chopin’s ‘Revolutionary Etude’ at this morning’s ceremony. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
In celebration, the U.S. citizens wave their new country’s flag in the air. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Fuller Lodge filled with patriotic emotion this morning as 17 individuals became U.S. citizens. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
