One hundred new citizens from 36 countries pledged their allegiance this week as Mount Vernon hosted its fifth annual U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Ceremony.
The 100 newest citizens, from across the world, pledged to “uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.”
Held on Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14, this has become an annual tradition in Mount Vernon. The ceremony began with the United States Marine Band performing, followed by a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
Mrs. Robert E. Lee IV, vice regent for Maryland, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, greeted the crowd; Robert Schofield, assistant district director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, made the Motion for the Oath; Phyllis Howard, district director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, administered the Oath of Citizenship; and C. Russell Shearer, president, George Washington Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, led the group in the pledge of allegiance.