Citizenship Ceremony                                  

July 4, 2004

Opening Remarks by President Duane Booth

Welcome.  Our committee is excited about this event and we hope that you are too.  I want to acknowledge those who are helping with today’s program – they are:

Assemblyman Roy J. McDonald

The Bemis Heights Society, C.A.R.

The G. B. Solomon National Cemetery, Honor Guard

The Saratoga Battlefield Musket Team

SNHP Park Ranger Joe Craig

The Sons and Daughters Fife and Drums

Vanessa Sterling

and the wonderful staff and volunteers here at the Battlefield who work so hard to make these events happen

Citizenship candidates, we like you families and friends are extremely proud of you.  We are sure that many of you were filled with mixed emotions about leaving your homelands.  But, today you are taking the final step needed to become citizens of our great land.  You are settling in the beautiful Hudson Valley.  There are many scenic views here, views that change with each season of the year.  There is much history in the Valley and many well kept landmarks.  We encourage you to visit these landmarks and to learn about the history made in this Valley.

This National Park is one shining example of the scenic beauty that is found in the Valley.  And history was made on these very grounds, when in 1777, American forces scored an important victory over the British that gave confidence to the new Americans and also convinced France to enter the War on their side.   What better than to celebrate America’s Birthday with you, our newest citizens, in a place of such beauty and so full of history.  We hope that this day is memorable for you and we invite you come back here to celebrate your citizenship anniversaries.  And, perhaps if you do, you may find another ceremony very much like this.  For what better feeling can we have on America’s Birthday than to be gathered on scenic, historic and hallowed ground welcoming new citizens to our Country.  May God Bless each of you and may God Bless America.