Page 16 - spring 2019

16 Friends oF red rock canyon

(The Big Day... continued from page 15)

“Think about this. It is the
same oath that every new citizen
has taken throughout our na-
tion’s history. It means you are
part of the history of this country.
You are taking similar journeys
of those who started this nation.”
While all 68 new citizens were
embarking on a new journey,
Judge Gordon encouraged them I pledge allegiance
all not to lose touch with their
native countries, cultures and language. ended before noon, she now was Delia
Snow Repant. That’s what her new citizen-
“Share it with us ship papers read.
all. The dishes you Ten years after she
cook, the dances joined her Ameri-
you celebrate. We can husband in the
are a melting pot; United States, hav-
our diversity is what ing met each
makes America other while he
great. We are all taught in Beijing,
better for it,” ex- the family was truly
horted Judge united.
Gordon. ”You don’t
have to give up the “Now, our identity
past for the future… as a family is
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
Master the English assured. I always
language, but also will be with my son
keep and preserve and husband. We
your native tongue.” will never be sepa-
rated," she mar-
When the morn- veled. “I now have
ing began, she was the chance to work
Douling xu Chang "Our identity as a family is assured. I will always be with here and watch
from China. When my son and husband. We will never be separated." my son grow up in
the ceremonies Delia Snow Repant America.”
Sharon Fernandez emigrated
from Cuba. As she remembered
her own journey, she encouraged
her fellow new citizens to recall
theirs, with all the tears and joy,
dedication and grit it has taken.

Speaking to everyone at the end
of the ceremonies, she talked of
sacrifice. “Wasn’t it all worth it?”
she asked to the sounds of cheers
and the sight of American flags
God Bless the USA waving toward the bluebird sky.

the Rock - Volume 9 Issue 3