GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) - It was a very special day for dozens of people in the Grand Valley. Candidates gathered at the Colorado National Monument Wednesday morning to officially become U.S. citizens during an emotional ceremony.
The Colorado National Monument is typically a serene location, but that morning was quite different.
36 residents from the Grand Valley celebrated a day that will stay with them forever, the day they became American citizens.
Kait Thomas, interpretation and education program manager at Colorado National Monument, states, “It's a real honor for the National Park Service to take part in this ceremony. And you know, I can, I'm even getting a little emotional right now. It's just really a wonderful opportunity to welcome new citizens in the United States, while also being in such a spectacular place as Colorado National Monument.”
Some of the candidates came from as far as Vietnam to El Salvador to Russia. For all thirty-six newly naturalized citizens, you can say reaching the finish line was worth it.
Mayra Diaz, a newly certified U.S. citizen, said, "It's definitely an exciting day. I am really, really happy that this intense opportunity for this country is amazing and I have 10 years that come here. And every day is one new opportunity for me."
Joern Howind, a newly certified U.S. citizen, said, “I've waited for this for a very long time, and just being able to be an American citizen is just overwhelming. It's an indescribable feeling. So I'm just so excited to be part of this country.”
WesternSlopeNow asked, “What does the word American citizen mean to you?”
“Oh, gosh. I've never thought about that question. You know, I fell in love with this country at a young age. And gosh, being able to actively participate in this country and not just being a visitor is, it's just a feeling that, again, I can't describe,” Howind explains.
Andy Lambrecht, field office director with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Denver, said, "What always stands out to me is how amazing it is that all of these new citizens have made the choice to be here. All of them have been living in the United States for several years. They have permanent resident status, but they have all made a conscious choice to apply for naturalization. They've made the choice to have America now be their new country of citizenship.”
For Mayra, Joern and the 34 other candidates, the feeling of being an American citizen will hit differently when they see red, white, and blue from the American flag.