I just returned. Congrats to lionesspriyanka, too.

First off, thanks for the congratulations! Believe me, they are appreciated.

It wasn't all smarmy patriotism by any means. The judge spoke about the responsibilities of a citizen; something everyone in the room seemed to take very seriously. He spoke about becoming an educated voter. It was at that moment that I wish I'd had voter registration forms handy!

I really felt like the courthouse staff, who have probably done this a thousand times among them, really still enjoyed it. Many of them posed for pictures; even file clerks and they seemed to love it as much as the new citizens and their families. The entire federal courthouse staff seemed to be in particularly good spirits and a bit spiffed up--I've been to this courthouse before and I really felt a diference in their attitude today.

My husband was the first to volunteer to speak and (sniff, blubber) he talked about how being here (since 1989) gave him the opportunity to have a wonderful family--okay, now I'm all out sobbing!

There wer THREE active duty military who were sworn in--it was just astonishing to see their pride. I made sure to congratulate each one of them--thank God (or your favorite divine spirit or goodness otherwise) they got to see this day (one had recently returned from Afghanistan). It really affected me to think what they risked even before they had the opportunity to vote. Just amazing.

They even played that atrocious Lee Greenwood video, but I just shut it out and watched the faces of Americans who have an amazing grasp of what this country should, and can, mean.

Mr. B is currently at a meeting, had to rush off as soon as it was over, but he WILL be registering to vote tomorrow! I have my ways...

I wouldn't have missed it for the world.