BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — This day, there were no rockets red glare -- and fortunately, no bombs bursting in air.
Just the sun over Idaho, fighting to shine through the smoke from wildfires burning in this new nation of theirs.
A pandemic-era patio setting was an extension of Judge Candy Dale's federal courtroom where the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America was administered to 19 people from some 12 countries.
(In three separate ceremonies, some 54 people became U.S. citizens.)
"My face lights up with the privilege of presiding over this ceremony," said Judge Dale.
They are new Americans, now citizens of a great land that gives so much to its people. Kathy Sohn is from Peru.
"I am so excited to be a United States citizen," Sohn said. "I will die for this country, my country now."
Maria Camacho is from Mexico.
"I never thought this day would happen," she said. " But it did."
Basir Qurbani is from Afghanistan and served as an interpreter for American troops in the war.
"I still have family there and I am worried about them," Qurbani said. "Especially with the withdrawal of U.S. troops. But I am so proud to become an American and to be able to live peacefully. If you are from Afghanistan, you know the true value of freedom."
Now they set about their futures as citizens of this Republic and this Friday the 13th goes down as the luckiest day of their lives.
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