SOUTHPORT - On July 3rd, as many were getting ready for fireworks and family gatherings, a group of 55 newly minted United States citizens gathered under a tent in front of Fort Johnston to take the oath of allegiance.
It was an emotional sight to behold.
Outside, the group was welcomed by former state representative and Naturalization Ceremony committee chairman Tom Rabon, as inside the nearby Southport Community Center, members of the Brunswick Town Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) prepared refreshments - snacks and cold drinks - for the parched patrons. The outside temperature was in the 90s, and thunderstorms were in the offing, threatening to rain on this day that for many had been decades in the making.
The Brunswick Town DAR members also placed gift bags on the chairs of the new citizens. Inside each gift bag was a small American flag on a stand, a Pledge of Allegiance bookmark, a 'Welcome New Citizen' card from the NSDAR, plus a few NC Red Bird peppermints.
People from countries like Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Mexico, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan - all sat nervously, fumbling through the paper bags, waiting for the ceremony to begin. They listened to patriotic tunes played by the Brunswick Big Band and then heard the National Anthem sung by Brunswick County deputy Ken Medlin. Most couldn't believe this day had finally come. That was a constant statement said by people in various tongues and accents. Many had traveled three, four, even five hour to get here with families in tow. It was for them one of the greatest days of their lives, if not the greatest.
The keynote speaker was the Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, the state's first woman elected to a statewide executive branch office in North Carolina. A former teacher herself and private practice attorney, Marshall gave hope and encouragement to the men and women from over 30 countries sitting before her.
Finally, the Oath of Allegiance was delivered by Judge Richard E. Meyers II, chief United States district judge from the Eastern District of North Carolina. Meyers himself is a naturalized citizen who was born in Jamaica and raised in Wilmington. He attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington and worked as a newspaper reporter for Star News before going back to law school at UNC Chapel Hill. He, more than anyone, understood what this oath meant. Not only had he and his family come to this country for freedom, but he shared with them how this country, America, was a place that they would no longer have to be afraid of what they said or thought or who their friends were. They were now living in the land of the free, thanks to the gallant men and women who fought for this country some 247 years before.
One of those who stood to take the oath was 24-year-old Cpl. Dennis Moroziuk of the U.S. Marine Corps. A native of Ukraine, Moroziuk was surrounded by the dozen or so members of his MAS 1 unit who traveled from Cherry Point to support him. They cheered and gave the Marine Corp "Hoo-Ah" when he and the others were told by Judge Meyers, "Congratulations, you are now officially United States citizens."
"I am sad things that are happening in my home country. I wish we could go over and help them. I wish we could go help them kick some ass. I have cousins fighting there. But, this is my home. This is my country now and I am proud to serve in the United States Marine Corps," said Moroziuk, as he gave high fives to his teammates.
Inside the community center, the new citizens sought air conditioning and tables filled with refreshments of pretzels, brownies and cookies, and drinks of ice water, iced tea and lemonade. They took photos and told stories of the journey it took to get to this place. One young couple in their 30s who were living in Cary told how he was born in Saudi Arabia, as were her parents. They met at a community college near Raleigh when he came here to school. They married and now have a three-year-old daughter named Nora. These days he works as a biochemist, while she works for a major medical laboratory here in the state. Adorned in her new hijab, the wife prays she and her husband and their family will be able to enjoy all the benefits of being an American. It is, after all, their dream, a dream shared by all 55 that day. Many the DAR members as they left for home - a snapshot of how those whose families have been here since the beginning are welcoming the newest citizens of this great land.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a service organization founded in 1890 for women who can prove direct blood lineage from a Revolutionary War Patriot. The organization promotes patriotism, education, and historic preservation. Any woman 18 years or older - regardless of race, religion or ethnic background - who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership.
DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer organization with more than 190,000 members in over 3,000 chapters across the globe. There are more than 100 chapters here in North Carolina alone. Nationally, members contributed nearly 6 million service hours in 2022.
The Brunswick Town Chapter has some 180 members, several of whom descend from Patriots who lived in Brunswick County while fighting for our country's freedom. The chapter's membership descends from over 700 proven Patriots, all from the original 13 colonies.
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