The celebration of America’s 250th birthday took place at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, where a group of individuals awaited to become United States citizens. They sat on folding chairs under the sun, with families nearby seeking refuge in the shade of trees.
Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, welcomed the crowd. The group of 150 people from 50 different countries was there to be sworn in as U.S. citizens on Independence Day. Among them was U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare from Guinea, present in his Dress Blue uniform.
Sangare, along with others in attendance, had completed the rigorous process of citizenship, including tests and interviews. Some were escaping countries affected by violence and persecution.
After a speech about Washington, attendees stood for the national anthem. Sgt. Sangare saluted, reflecting solemn respect. The ceremony proceeded with the identification of attendees’ countries. Individuals from Albania, Bangladesh, China, El Salvador, Iraq, Mongolia, and Morocco among others stood when their nations were announced.
With hands raised, they recited an Oath of Allegiance, becoming U.S. citizens. A round of applause followed, accompanied by the Pledge of Allegiance. Sangare, his hand over his heart, momentarily closed his eyes.
Historian Douglas Bradburn presented words of encouragement, emphasizing the merging of their personal histories with that of America’s rich past. The stories of new citizens were now American stories, rooted in shared history.
A re-enactor portraying George Washington addressed the crowd, acknowledging their journeys and integrating them into the American identity. He warmly embraced them as fellow Americans.
After the ceremony, Sgt. Sangare posed for a portrait, proudly holding his American flag paddle fan. He expressed his joy, affirming his new identity as a U.S. citizen.
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