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bigtree

(86,013 posts) Fri Jul 4, 2014, 04:52 PM Jul 2014

What Independence Day Meant To These Folks

Last edited Sat Jul 5, 2014, 01:03 PM - Edit history (2)

petesouza ‏@petesouza
New American citizens recite the Oath of Allegiance today in the East Room.

petesouza ‏@petesouza
Poignant reaction from one of the naturalization candidates greeting Pres Obama prior to being sworn in as American citizen

"This is one of my favorite events to do," Obama said Friday during a July Fourth naturalization ceremony at the White House. "And not just because we get to have a barbecue and watch fireworks later."

Obama watched as 25 new Americans took the oath of allegiance, a group that included veterans, reservists and spouses as well as 15 active duty members.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

"Throughout our history, immigrants have come to our shores in wave after wave, from every corner of the globe. Every one of us unless we're Native American has an ancestor who was born somewhere else," the president said.

"That's what makes America special. That's what makes us strong. The basic idea of welcoming immigrants to our shores is central to our way of life, it is in our DNA.".

"We believe our diversity, our differences, when joined together by a common set of ideals, makes us stronger, makes us more creative, makes us different," President Obama said.