Law Day Marked in County by First Naturalization Ceremony

CREST HAVEN – They came to the U.S. at different times from different places. On May 1, 2014, 21 gathered in front of Assignment Judge Julio Mendez to take the Naturalization Oath that made them full-fledged citizens of their adopted land.
The ceremony, steeped in patriotism and meaning for many in the room, was a first in the county’s history. The day took on added significance because it was also Law Day, a day set aside to reflect on the nation that is ruled by the U.S. Constitution with laws administered through the courts in which citizens are urged to take an active part, perhaps as jurors.
The freeholder meeting room became, temporarily a court room at the order of Sheriff Gary Schaffer, whose department members provided a color guard. Surrogate M. Susan Sheppard led the Pledge of Allegiance. Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton thanked the 21 for becoming American citizens. He then urged them to take an active part in their newly-adopted government by registering to vote.
The League of Women Voters of Cape May County had a table immediately outside the meeting room to accept those who wished to register for their newly-earned right.
Mendez told the group that he, too, became a naturalized citizen 35 years prior.
“I do not have to imagine what it means for each of you because I know how you feel. I am too a proud naturalized citizen of this great nation. I know that today is one of the most important days of your lives,” he said.
“I challenge you to love and defend this country so that we can always preserve our way of life for our children and future generations,” he continued.
“You often hear people speaking about the American Dream. The promise of that dream is there for each and every one of you. I believe that the dream is not just the ability to own a house and enjoy a good life with material things. The American Dream is being able to wake up in a place where you can choose to disagree, in a country where your opinions and ideas are respected, and in a country where you do not constantly have to fear for your lives. In a place where you can achieve and even become a judge like I did,” Mendez told the group.
“I challenge you to take your citizenship duties very seriously. Vote, serve on juries, follow the laws, pay your taxes, respect the rights of others, defend the Constitution, and serve your country. Welcome to citizenship,” he said. After that, the group rose and Mendez administered the oath as each raised their right hand and repeated the words.
The new citizens were:
Patty Estefania Ruiz, Mexico
Joel Cruz Tagle, Mexico
Yu Juan Tan, People’s Republic of China
Cyndi Khuu, Vietnam
Adriana Garmarra, Peru
Berrin Geylani, Turkey
Angela Maria Zapata Villada, Colombia
Hocine Mallaoui, Algeria
Flor Mila Huayhua Cruzado, Peru
Maria Mercedes Rodriguez Prieto, Venezuela
John Christopher Devlin, United Kingdom
Danilo Antonio Mella, Dominican Republic
Adbulah Bukhsh, Pakistan
Randy Paulino Medina, Dominican Republic
Vasil Mariyanov Georgiev, Bulgaria
Anne Marie Bernadette Fala, United Kingdom
Ala Aleksashina, Belarus
Alberto Jimenez Ortiz, Guatemala
Pierrena Thomas, Haiti
Maxim Alexeevich Shalnov, Russia
Viktoryia Belahryvaya, Belarus
Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury Jr. addressed the group prior to their oath on “Patriotism and Service.” DeLury is a retired Navy captain from the Judge Advocate General Corps. The following is his address:
Thank you, Director Thornton and Judge Mendez. I appreciate the opportunity to be with you and the many judges, dignitaries elected officials and residents gathered here today to witness this important occasion.
Good morning, fellow citizens. Please accept my warmest congratulations to you and your families as you celebrate this important milestone. With your oath today you will now enjoy the privileges of citizenship while at the same time accepting the responsibilities that go along with them.
Among the many privileges you will enjoy is the right to call America your home. This right is expressed in the duty to exercise the civic virtues. Chief among them is the civic virtue of patriotism. Certainly, justice, honesty, thrift, service, industry and courage are important civic virtues. The cultivation of these habits of personal living is important for the success of our Nation and to make your new home a better place.
But, I suggest, that the practice of patriotism provides the reason, the rationale, for the development of the other civic virtues.
Patriotism is the open expression of devotion to your country. Patriotism is, as Theodore Roosevelt observed, standing by your country, if not necessarily its political leaders of the day.
Patriotism finds its expression in acts great and small. Patriotism is seen in the streets of small towns when citizens stand in respect as the flag passes by in a parade on Independence Day. Patriotism moves us 70 years later as we honor those buried in the sight of the beaches at Normandy. Patriotism is observing a moment of silence when remembering the last full measure of devotion on Memorial Day, 9/11 or December 7th.
Patriotism is cheerfully removing your hat, facing the music and singing the National Anthem, as best you can, at a ballgame. Patriotism is flying the flag from your front door or in your yard, not just on holidays, but everyday.
Patriotism is steadfastly maintaining your devotion and commitment to America even when faced with disappointment in the actions of our fellow citizens, our leaders, or even yourself.
But, patriotism is not the only virtue a citizen needs to practice. I urge you to consider that the virtue of service to your country is closely linked, and essential to, your patriotic devotion.
Service to your country can be expressed in actions great and small, celebrated in public or undertaken in silence. Not everyone is called to service on the battlefield in the profession of arms. Very few of us will build great bridges, discover the cure for diseases or explore the reaches of space. Not all are called to charge into burning buildings or answer the alert of “shots fired.” But, all are called to serve. Indeed, with your promises today you have answered the call to service. The question, then, is how to find a way to serve.
Service is the giving of yourself and your abilities to the betterment of our country. Consider that service for most of us begins in our neighborhoods, our local communities and organizations and, indeed, among our fellow citizens.
You practice the civic virtue of service when you contribute your time as well as your treasure. You can consider uniformed or public service for yourself or encourage and support promising young people who join. You can serve in a beach clean-up or a garden club. You can serve as a first responder by joining a volunteer fire or rescue squad. You can serve by joining a fraternal, religious or community organization whose goals and principles match your own. You can serve by working at the polls on Election Day, right after you cast your own ballot. You can serve by accepting a jury summons, without trying to think of an excuse to get out of it.
Your patriotic devotion coupled with your service to the community will build up and make greater our Nation for you and your families.
When considering how to make patriotism and service work together, think of the foundation of a home. Before the structure can rise, a foundation must be laid. Block upon block and brick upon brick, the foundation is built. However, the foundation would crumble and sink, and the home tumble to the ground if the blocks were not held in place with mortar. Therefore, show your devotion to country by serving your community in any way you can. Let patriotism become the cement that binds the bricks of service to make a stronger foundation for our community and our country.
I think I can say without fear of contradiction, that the greatest American was George Washington. There was a citizen who knew a great deal about the exercise of all civic virtues. He said of his service to our Nation, “I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”
So, my fellow Americans, my hope for all of you—for all of us—today is that, like General Washington, we will always hear and answer with patriotism and service when our country calls.