The Admiral has made the leap. The Canadian is an American, at last. Three cheers for the Admiral. The decision to become an American was not an easy one. I am not going into why she made the decision. I want to focus on the process, and my emotions and observations. Other than the high cost, the hardest part was the time it took for it to happen. With forms being mailed back and forth, and travel dates to consider, appointments being scheduled before the letter arrived to notify us of it, and then having to reschedule, it was a long, arduous process. In the near 18 months it took, we made a trip to New Orleans, and two to Atlanta, the last one being the swearing in. That is the real crux of this column, the swearing in. It was special, and moved me to tears twice. We arrived at the U.S. Archives in Morrow, Ga., outside Atlanta at 8:30 a.m. before the nine o’clock deadline. Every race, creed and color had a representative there that morning. I was fascinated, not only with the mix, but how many there were. Once through security, with the usual hitches that have become all too familiar, the candidates for citizenship were ushered into a large room while the guests moved on to the event auditorium packed with chairs. The ones to the front were the candidates’ chairs. Each had a yellow sticky-note attached with a number on it. There was a packet on each chair along with a small American flag. We walked past them to the area reserved for guests. I went to the last chair to see how many were reserved: 300. Wow, we were going to be there a while. The Princesses and I settled into seats on the front row of the gallery. As we sat through the slow process of each candidate having to present all the proper papers signed in the right places, then be ushered to their seat, I had an opportunity to observe the group to be sworn in. Again, the mix fascinated me, but what got my attention was how they were dressed. The majority were in their best clothes, respectful of the great event in their lives. There was some festive red, white and blue attire, but an equal number of dark suits and simple, elegant dresses. When the program started, the moderator announced that there were 69 countries represented by the candidates. She announced each, and the respective candidates stood as their countries were called.  Each candidate raised their right hands and repeated the oath. It was longer than I thought it would be. There was a lot of picture taking and people moving into the aisles to capture the moment their loved one became an American. I was among them, but I had a hard time focusing through my blurry eyes. When they got to the part saying they would, "…renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen…”I broke down. I know it was a hard decision for many, if not all, to turn their back on the land of their nativity. It was for the Admiral. We cheered as the candidates waved their flags. We all said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang our national anthem. That brought tears, too. One of the speakers reminded us that there were some here today who had never lived without fear of speaking out, who were not guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Many had never voted, or taken part in any sort of government function without fear of reprisal. Then the speaker addressed us, the guests, and reminded us that we need to look at these proud new Americans and know of the sacrifice they have made for a better, freer life, and we all should commit, along with them, to take advantage of every opportunity afforded to every citizen to reach their dreams. Every dream you can dream can come true here. You are free to choose your destiny. Three hundred chose that day.   What about the rest of us? Are you fulfilling the promise of America, being all you can be? It is time we all recommit. America needs us … especially the new ones. Lead on Admiral. David Wilson Atwood is a local writer whose human-interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted, and his other works viewed at www.starchasers.us, or david@starchasers.us.