Pledge of Allegiance has special meaning for new citizens

They came together from countries across the globe with one common purpose: They wanted to be United States citizens.

During a naturalization ceremony Wednesday morning, 14 men and women did so after they recited an oath from U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell. He urged them to take full advantage of all their new rights.

It was a day they’d worked toward for a long time — in some cases for years.

"It took me 17 years, but I'm happy to be here," said Radwan Shushane, who is from Tunisia and is now living in Columbus.

Shushane came to America on a student visa in 2000. Since 2008, he has been working as a computer science professor at Columbus State University on a work visa. In 2011, he became a permanent resident and in 2016, he applied to become an American citizen.

“It took some time, but I’m here,” he said.

Ray Hernandez, originally from Mexico, said it took him 18 months.

He walked into the courtroom with a big smile — and sporting an American flag tie.

“I was looking for a tie and saw a bunch of different designs at the store,” he said. “I saw this one at the bottom of the shelf and I didn’t even think about. I just grabbed it.”

Peru native Rocio Ponce was naturalized along with her sister and two daughters. She said they now have something to celebrate with friends and family members at their home.

Some of the other recently naturalized citizens were from Russia, El Salvador, the Philippines, Vietnam and Colombia.

Members of the League of Women Voters were at the ceremony handed out voting applications and government directory pamphlets for the newly naturalized citizens.

"One of the most important and exciting things about being a citizen is that it gives you the right to vote,” said Carolyn Hargrove, one of the members. “That makes all the difference in the world.”

At the end of the ceremony, the new citizens stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance together for their first time.

This story was originally published June 7, 2017 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Pledge of Allegiance has special meaning for new citizens."