Page 14 - spring 2019

14 Friends oF red rock canyon
The Big Day Article and photos by

Glenn Ritt

Immigrants from 31 nations took the oath of allegiance as new U.S. Citizens. They came
from Romania, Fiji, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Laos, El Salvador, Cuba, Russia, Italy,
China, Guatemala, Iran, Nigeria, Japan, Mexico, Serbia, Taiwan, Jamaica, Ethiopia,
South Korea, India, Canada, Philippines, Nepal, Ghana, Thailand, Kenya, Peru, Vietnam,
Columbia and Cambodia.

The end of one journey, the beginning of a new one

amnang Prak never had a country to the U.S. Army. He and his siblings were
S call his own before he stood un- born as Americans, but it took Giovanna 28
der a bright morning sky with the Calico years to take her oath.
Hills in the distance, raised his right hand
and took a solemn oath to become a new “She was a single mom raising a family
United States citizen. while working two jobs every day of her
life,” said George. “She never had the time
He was born in Thailand, but as a to do anything but be a mother. But now
baby, his fam- that she is retired, all she wanted was to
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
ily crossed the become a citizen.”
border into
Cambodia where “The United States is a grand melting pot,
he spent his and we are all better off by sharing our
childhood in a cultures and experiences,” U.S. District
refugee camp. Court Judge Andrew P. Gordon told the
“Today, America newest citizens moments after swear-
makes me feel ing them in before ecstatic families and
like I finally friends.
belong,” he
rejoiced, sur-
Samnang Prak, new American
rounded by 67
others ranging
in age from a UNLV college student to a
nearly 80-year old grandfather.

“This is life-changing,” declared Prak,
half exuberant, half in disbelief. “Now, I
can visit my parent’s homeland, with my
new U.S. Passport.”

He stood near Giovanna Godinez, who
was being hugged by her son, George,
who is serving in the chemical corps of Giovanna Godinez with her proud family

the Rock - Volume 9 Issue 3