The final step in the long process to become an American citizen is taking the oath. A ceremony is scheduled for a large group of applicants to take this final step together.
This week, seventy individuals from fifty countries dressed in their best and brought their friends and family to the event.
The Gerald R Ford presidential auditorium was filled to capacity with several individuals standing in the back.
I went to support a dear Guatemalan friend.
Unlike the movies, the seventy enthusiastically stood for the anthem and boldly sang, spoke the pledge of allegiance, and waved handheld flags during the ceremony. 
The presiding judge said they had the freedom to walk up to the platform to accept their naturalization paperwork or remain in their seats to have the papers brought to them. All seventy individuals, including a man who could barely walk, stood when his or her name was called as though winning an Oscar or an Olympic gold medal. They proudly walked the ramp to the platform, smiling and waving their flag, shook the judge's hand, and proudly carried their papers across the platform and back to their seat.
Their joy knew no bounds.
Sure would be nice if everyone had a chance to attend one of these ceremonies.
The newly naturalized citizens cheered when the judge said, "Welcome home."
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