by Randy Pierce • Held during a time appropriately chosen because it occurred a couple of days prior to the annual celebration of our country’s independence, Collinsville’s Gateway Convention Center was the site of the swearing-in of 61 new United States citizens representing 27 different nations of origin on Wednesday morning, July 2.
Hosted by the United States Department of Justice Southern Illinois District Court and District Attorney’s Office, which is located in Fairview Heights, this event saw the candidates for naturalization jointly participate in an oath of allegiance declaring renouncement of all loyalty to any foreign sovereignty, individual, state or royalty, including where they previously resided, while agreeing to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and its laws along with “performing work of national importance” when required and taking on such obligations freely without any mental reservation.
Four members of Collinsville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5691, Don Digirolamo, Scott Burns, Joe Glass and Gary Foland, presented and retired the nation’s colors, including the Illinois state flag, at the beginning and end of the program…