“She likes to be an American. It’s a peaceful place.
She’s a victim of war and that’s why she fears it,” said Hassan Adan, a friend
and community member of new citizen Saadio Alikaf from Somalia.
Aileen Pelletier, a member of the auxiliary and Kurt’s
wife, suggested that the young auxiliary unit host a Naturalization Ceremony. President
Pam Whynot worked tirelessly to coordinate with Sen. Collins office and Kurt as
well as the other speakers to make the event special for the candidates.
“I always wanted to live here. It was just a matter of
time,” said Irina Sullivan from Kazakhstan. The first thing she will do with
her citizenship is vote in November, she said.
Nothing beat listening to the stories of the new
citizens, Whynot said. The ceremony began at 10 a.m., but all of the candidates
were there by 9:10 a.m. giving plenty of time for socialization and pictures.
“To see them come so early because they’re so excited is amazing,” she added.
Yong Lu from China wants to live here. “My family is
here,” he said. He also can’t wait to vote in the next election.
The day was about connections, which helped to make the
event so special. Each candidate brought
Kurt’s son Devin was given an appointment to the Air
Force Academy by Sen. Collins, who was speaking and Kurt was flying out the
following morning to Devin’s graduation. When he told the story, there were
very few dry eyes in the building.
“If it wasn’t for Senator Collins, my son wouldn’t be
where he is today,” Kurt said.
Colonel Bob Atkins, USMC. Ret. gave the welcoming
remarks. The new citizens can now “practice the religion you want, have a free
press and write a letter to the editor. You have the right to send a grievance
to Senator Collins, right to bear arms and the right to refuse the military
from taking up residence in your home. These freedoms are not free,” he said. He
read a poem by Kelly Strong titled “Freedom is not Free” written when she was a
senior in high school.
“I
thought, how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.”
Poem affected everyone.
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.”
Poem affected everyone.
“Pick out something that you can do to make this a better
place. Congratulations and welcome home,” he told the group gathered.
Senator Collins, who received a standing ovation when she
entered the veteran’s center, gave a passionate speech about how precious
citizenship is.
“For those who yearn to breathe free, our freedom has
been purchased at the greatest possible cost,” she said. She told the audience
that they need to know how precious our birthright is. She also encouraged
volunteerism and to do “great acts of selflessness.” The gathering was kept
spellbound by her words.
“It is this philosophy of self-governance that has stood
the test of time,” Sen. Collins said. “To be an American by birth or by choice,
be proud of your heritage and of your future.”
Anne Libby also read an essay she wrote as a part of the
VFW Voice of Democracy contest. She spoke about how one little action can
affect someone’s life profoundly and that it is the citizens who will band
together to create change and that it’s not country of birth that binds us, but
by the country we call home.
The Windham Primary School third grade chorus sang four
selections including God Bless the USA.
“This is the best part of my job,” said Kurt. He told the
group that “America is your adopted country,” and that each candidate met the
requirements to be citizens and was found to have good moral character.
The new citizens were from all over the world, Egypt,
Estonia, Jamaica, Congo, New Zealand, Turkey and many more.
“They were so excited to be a citizen,” said Whynot.
The auxiliary unit is looking forward to hosting another
Naturalization Ceremony.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze
A young Marine saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought, how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, Freedom isn't free!!
It fluttered in the breeze
A young Marine saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought, how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, Freedom isn't free!!
Copyright 1981 by Kelly Strong
