36 Become U.S. Citizens on Porch of Grand Hotel
By Eric Fish

At left: Sean Andre Orrin Brown, from Ghana, smiles with a rose and his certificate of citizenship given to him moments ago by Magistrate Judge Timothy Greeley.

It's a day that Peiying Kuo will forever remember.

Originally from Taiwan, Mrs. Kuo came to the United States in 1988, was married in 1993, and was formally granted United States citizenship with 35 others on the 660-foot-long porch of the historic Grand Hotel the afternoon of Thursday, June 14.

The ceremony was fittingly conducted on Flag Day, a holiday that celebrates the adoption of the American Flag. Thirtysix new citizens representing 15 countries were sworn in before a crowd of about 200 of their friends and families. They have all been residing in the Upper Peninsula.

The naturalization ceremony was organized by the Detroit office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and conducted by Mackinac Island City Clerk Karen Lennard.

"We're proud of you," she told the new citizens. "You started your journey to become citizens and you've completed your journey today."

The 36 applicants complete the final step in becoming American citizens, taking the oath and pledging allegiance to the flag.

Mrs. Lennard encouraged them to become involved in their communities and offered the famous quote of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy as advice, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

Words of congratulations were offered by Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud, 2007 Lilac Queen Kristi Kamphuis, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Acting District Director Maria Chavez. Other congratulatory remarks were made by Amy Berglund from the office of U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Tom Baldini, district director for Congressman Bart Stupak, and Sheri Davie, the regional manager for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

"Mackinac is the crown jewel of Michigan and, for a place," Mayor Doud said. "Today, once again, we gather for this very momentous and historic occasion."

After an official convening of the court, Magistrate Timothy Greeley conducted the ceremonial oath and Pledge of Allegiance to induct the 36 applicants as American citizens.

"I got excited," said Mrs. Kuo. "With all the people here, you feel like a very important person."

They are important, Mr. Greeley said.

"The United States is a nation of great wealth," he noted, "but the true wealth of this nation is right here. It's the citizens from throughout the world that come to the United States and bring something."

Each new citizen was called up individually and received a certificate of citizenship and a special rose that was donated for the event by Weber's Florist.

The ceremony captured the spirit of Flag Day, said Ms. Chavez.

"Our flag represents our independence and our unity as a nation," she said. "As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our nation, our culture, and our flag."

Following the ceremony, friends and families crowded around the new citizens in excitement.

The day was described in one word by Mrs. Kuo.

It was "wonderful," she said.