First Naturalization Ceremony At Valley Forge Park

VALLEY FORGE, PA — Boniface Hakizimana stood proudly holding his hand over his heart reciting the pledge of allegiance for the first time as a citizen of the United States of America on Tuesday afternoon.

“I am so happy to be a citizen of the United States,” 23-year-old Hakizimana said at the conclusion of a naturalization ceremony outside Gen. George Washington’s home in Valley Forge National Park.

“I spent 15 years in a refugee camp. I lived alone. I came here to get an education.”

Hakizimana said he reunited with his family in Lancaster and graduated in 2018 from J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster.

He spent a lot of time studying American history so he could pass the civics test required for citizenship.

He was one of 20 candidates from 17 countries to become citizens during the ceremony on the grounds where the Continental Army trained in the winter of 1777-1778.

The ceremony opened with the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard posting of the colors.

Rosalyn J. Fennell, park superintendent, said 13 different states came together at Valley Forge to join as citizens of the Continental Army representing the United States.

She told the news citizens the park belongs to them.

“We invited you to experience this place,” she said. “You are invited to go into George Washington’s headquarters.”

Welcoming new citizens

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Montgomery County Democrat, said Valley Forge Park is the perfect place to officially become a citizen because the park has a long history of citizenship.

“This place is about the citizen soldiers and George Washington living here, and the citizens who 100 years later started this as a state park . . .” Dean said. “It’s about the citizens in the 1970s who established this national park.”

She welcomed the new citizens to share stories of their homeland with others and enjoy their experiences in America.

Dean shared that her family came to America from Ireland and England.The ceremony was hosted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Park Service. It was one of numerous naturalization ceremonies held near Independence Day.

Fazel Syed, a former professional tennis player from India, shared that he has traveled to 35 countries, and no country is better than the United States.

“The founding fathers were not perfect, but they were great people,” said Syed, who became a citizen in 2014 during a naturalization ceremony.

Syed lives near the park, and visits early in the morning to pray and reflect on the creation of our country.

The event marked the first time the park was the setting of a Naturalization Ceremony. The ceremonies are typically held in courthouses across the nation.

Adam Gresek, park public affairs officer, noted the patriots of Valley Forge encampment volunteered to persevere with the Continental Army just as the new citizens have volunteered to participate in American democracy.

Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Office Director Kathleen Bausman administered the Oath of Allegiance to citizenship candidates.

The new citizens received official certificates and gifts of passports to all the national parks, a flag, a pin and more.

Following the ceremony, the new citizens were treated to a tour of Washington’s headquarters.