14 new citizens added to America's roll call

Because the forecast had called for rain that never came, the annual Independence Day naturalization ceremony was moved inside Cape Girardeau's Common Pleas Courthouse on Monday evening.

District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. apologized to the 14 citizenship candidates and the standing-room-only audience for the inconvenience of the move.

"The decision was made to move the ceremony inside," he said. "Turns out, it's going to be glorious outside."

But the candidates seemed not to mind. Each had been working toward citizenship for years -- some more than a decade.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri delivered the address, during which he praised the applicants for their accomplishments and determination.

"Legal immigration is one of the things that made our country as great as it is," he said, adding every citizen should consider themselves an immigrant to some degree. "No matter how long you think your family has been here, everyone came from somewhere else."

He said the simple fact the candidates had completed the application process indicates a commitment and clarity of intention that surpasses a good number of natural-born citizens. The United States and its history of transcending mediocrity, he said, depended upon citizens who were so engaged.

"We are uniquely responsible for what we are [as a nation]," he said. "Some important reinforcements have arrived."

Each of the candidates was given a chance to give remarks before the swearing-in ceremony. Many touched on similar themes: the honor of the moment, the seemingly boundless opportunity they now enjoyed, an eagerness to vote.

Janice Ealy, formerly of the Philippines, said the sense of satisfaction was nearly overwhelming.

"It's a privilege to be, finally," she began, before the swell of applause made her stop for a beat. "After 10 years, sitting here."

She had come to America to work at first. With the help of her husband, an American, she worked toward permanent citizenship.

Bronik Matwijkiw of Denmark has been teaching and studying at American universities since the late '90s. He's spent the last eight years teaching in Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Political Science, Philosophy and Religion.

As a philosopher, he's an opinionated man, he said. That, in combination with his political predilections, has him hungry to finally partake in an American election.

"Now I need to make sure to be part of the democratic process," he said, smiling. "I want to cast my vote and have something to say."

He swore his oath alongside his university colleague, Carlos Vargas-Aburto.

Southeast Missouri State University president Carlos Vargas-Aburto shakes hands with assistant U.S. attorney Larry H. Ferrell after being sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony Monday at the Common Pleas Courthouse in Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

Vargas, Southeast's president, moved from Mexico to America at age 36 with three kids in tow, he said.

"My father was right when he said, 'You don't go to try. You go to do it,'" Vargas recalled, wiping away a tear before lightening the mood. "In Spanish, it sounds very nice."

James D. Bollinger, the 2016 Spirit of America award winner, delivers remarks during a ceremony Monday at the Common Pleas Courthouse in Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

After the ceremony, Jim Bollinger was awarded the annual Spirit of America Award for his decades of volunteer service in Bollinger County. He said watching the naturalization ceremony had made this year his best July 4 ever.

Each candidate's journey here was different, Vargas said.

"But we have all converged to become U.S. citizens," he said. "Today, a new journey starts."

The first step of that journey was filling out voter-registration cards.

A crowd takes in the firework display on the riverfront for the Great American Fourth of July celebration Monday night in downtown Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

The second was heading out to the courthouse terraced lawn -- where the weather continued to hold out -- for their first fireworks show as Americans.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627