Photo By Monica Wood | Booths are set up and ready for International Festival goers to stroll through after...... read more read more
Subscribe
Sixteen individuals – all from different countries and all working toward attaining United States citizenship – made up the front row of the opening ceremony of the Lawton-Fort Sill International Fest Friday Sept. 23.
The return of Lawton’s International Fest was Sept. 23-25 at Elmer Thomas Park. Col. James Peay, Fort Sill garrison commander, was onstage Friday evening for the opening ceremony and spoke before the 16 citizenship candidates, who waited to participate in a naturalization ceremony.
Peay addressed those citizens-to-be and the crowd gathered for the opening ceremony. "It is a privilege to be here today. I am not the first Soldier to stand here in awe of the support of this great community and the wonderful partnership that we have here in Lawton-Fort Sill,” he said.
Peay spoke of the unique relationships the military forge across the world and in small communities like Lawton-Fort Sill.
“The military is such a unique environment. We work with those across the world day-in and day-out. Whether it is working with our foreign liaison officers you’ve just seen in the Parade of Nations or traveling across the globe to a different location,” he said. “Each experience deepens our understanding and connection with one another.”
Lawton-Fort Sill is a diverse community that just like the Army, understands the importance of accepting the unique experiences, cultures and backgrounds of others.
“Only a week ago, our Singaporean partners, trained alongside Soldiers here at Fort Sill. I have neighbors from different countries and I’m able to learn that much more just by walking down the street. That’s what makes this community unique,” he said.
“I grew up in a military household and like many here, each time my father deployed and came home, he brought back a piece of that experience with him. I am proud that my children get to share in diverse cultural experiences here in Lawton-Fort Sill with wonderful festivals like this one,” said Peay, as he left the podium to watch as Shon T. Erwin, magistrate for Oklahoma’s Western District Court, stepped up to administer the oath of citizenship.
Erwin spoke to the candidates for citizenship and explained that two of the most important duties they will have as citizens are voting and serving on a jury.
“When you don’t vote, you are counted as a zero,” said Erwin. “Don’t be a zero.”
Erwin then administered the Oath of Allegiance and 16 U.S. citizens walked out of the International Fest tent.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2022 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 430475 |
| Location: | FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Garrison commander speaks to 16 newest American citizens at International Festival, by Monica Wood, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
