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Chapter President Duane Booth Welcomes Candidates and Guests
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Read President Booth's Welcome
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The Chapter in joint sponsorship with the Saratoga Chapter,
DAR, the Saratoga National Historical Park, the U.S.
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration and the Friends
of Saratoga Battlefield held what Park officials believe
to be the first ever Citizenship Ceremony at the historic site.
The event, which was a year in planning, was well received by
all those present and much appreciated by the new citizens and
their families. The event was well covered by the media,
including local TV Stations and newspapers. The committee included
Chapter President Duane Booth and Past Chapter President Rick
Saunders; Shirley Schadow, Regent, Saratoga Chapter, DAR; Gina
Johnson, Program Director, Saratoga National Historical Park;
Duane Kennison, Assistant Officer in Charge, Albany Office U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service and Marie Burch, Member Chair,
Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.
Before the Ceremony there was time for fellowship and a meeting
old friends and making new friends.
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Chapter President Booth, New Member Ed Skellie and Past Chapter President Rick Saunders
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About 220 people gathered under bright sunny skies on
America’s 228th Birthday to watch 20 candidates take the
Oath Of Allegiance to the United States of America. The
program began with a contingent from the G. B. Solomon
Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard presenting the colors.
The Color Guard took time away from a busy holiday schedule
to be with us on this glorious day.
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G. B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard
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The Sons and Daughters Fife and Drums play a musical selection and the colors were then retired.
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Sons and Daughters Fife and Drums
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Assemblyman Roy J. McDonald from the 112th assembly district
graciously agreed to be the keynote speaker for the event.
In his address Assemblyman McDonald noted the significance of
the Ceremony being held at such an historic site on America’s
Birthday. He read through the countries from where the candidates
came and noted while they came from afar they were now a part
of the American Family with all the rights and privileges that
we enjoy. At the end of his address Assemblyman McDonald light
heartedly noted that these new citizens were also new voters.
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Assemblyman Roy J. McDonald addresses candidates and guests
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Assistant Officer in Charge at the Albany Office of the U.S.
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services which is now
a part of the Department of Homeland Security administers the Oath
of Allegiance to candidates. Once the candidates have completed
the recitation of the Oath and received and signed their
naturalization certificate they are citizens of the USA.
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Duane Kennison of the USCIS addressing Citizenship Candidates
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Candidates recite Oath of Allegiance
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View Candidate List
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Chapter President Booth congratulates new young citizen
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Shirley Schadow, Regent of the Saratoga Chapter, DAR explains
how the words "…one Nation under God" in the Pledge of
Allegiance should be read and leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Friends of Saratoga Battlefield, a volunteer support group
of the Saratoga National Historical Park makes many things
happen at the SNHP. They provided financial support for the
event and handouts to the new citizens.
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Marie Burch, Membership Chair, Friends of Saratoga Battlefield
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Vanessa Sterling, a high School student from Saratoga
sang the Star Spangled Banner. The SNHP Musket Team then
fired a salute. SNHP Ranger Joe Craig, dressed in period
costume, read the Declaration of Independence. The ceremony
ended with a final musket salute.
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Ranger Joe Craig reciting Declaration of Independence
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