Mt. Vernon welcomes new U.S. citizens July 4th

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Lance Cpl. John Ramirez knows what it’s like to have a loved one taken away.

Ten years ago, guerrilla fighters in Columbia abducted his uncle, taking him away from Ramirez and his family. It was a trying situation, one that left Ramirez thinking that he would never see his uncle again, he said.

But by the “grace of god” Ramirez’s uncle was returned to him, he said.

His family then came to the U.S. in 2000. Ramirez became a Marine in 2007.

On Sunday on the Fourth of July, at the home of this nation’s first president, he became a U.S. citizen.

“We escaped to the U.S. because my family was scared that they would be abducted next, or killed,” said Ramirez.

It was an honor to be sworn in at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon mansion on July 4^th, on the country’s 234th birthday, he said.

He was one of 101 people from 45 countries, including Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ecuador just to name a few, who were dubbed the newest citizens of the United States, at Mt. Vernon.

With Washington’s mansion in the background, American flags waived in the breeze as hundreds looked on and cheered while a band played patriotic music.

After each of their names were called, the newly crowned citizens were welcomed by another man who himself emigrated to the U.S. to become a citizen, from Haiti nearly 20-years ago.

“This idea of America is a powerful one. It is a bright light that draws us to it. As immigrants we know that none of us would be here today if it were not for the helping hand of a parent or teacher, or maybe a neighbor from our cities, towns or villages who believed in us and wanted us to succeed. It’s now our turn,” said Patrick Covington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Appointed by President Obama, his non-profit organization is tasked with finding new ways for residents to give back to their communities through volunteerism.

“This country has been good to me; it has been good to us. So I encourage you to become involved in your communities, to be another block in the building of our perfect union because we are Americans. We earned our way here. It is our responsibility, our moral duty to become engaged citizens,” said Covington.

Many of those who were granted citizenship Sunday have lived and worked in the U.S. for several years.

Tawfik Daoud is from Egypt, works as a computer engineer and started working  in 2001 on getting his citizenship. His children will benefit from his accomplishment, he said.

“They owe me big time,” he said jokingly, celebrating with his two young children at his side. “They don’t have to fill out all of the [citizenship] forms and do all of the work. And it’s expensive too; $675 to get all of the forms,” said Daoud.

His 10-year-old son, Mark, was proud of his father. “Thank god for him,” he said.

Dad then gave his son a high five.