On a Fourth of July that was anything but typical for upstate New York with clouds, cool temperatures, and rain, the 12th Annual Citizenship Ceremony was held at the Saratoga National Historical Park. Although rain occurred off and on throughout the ceremony, the excitement and patriotic fervor of the twenty soon-to-be new American citizens, their families, well-wishers, and interested community members could not be dampened.

Our Chapter was proud to partner with the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield, the Saratoga Chapter of the NSDAR, members of the C.A.R. Schuyler Society, the League of Women Voters of Saratoga, the US Citizenship and Immigrations Services, the Saratoga National Historical Park staff and volunteers in sponsoring this significant event.

Acting Superintendent Chris Martin, on behalf of the National Park Service Staff at Saratoga National Historical Park, welcomed everyone to the 2015 Citizenship Ceremony. Once again, the Master-of-Ceremonies was Dr. Ray Raymond. The colors were posted by the Twin Rivers Council Boy Scouts and heartily saluted by a round of musket fire provided by the Saratoga NHP Musket Corps.

Following this, Dr. Raymond provide a brief talk on the subject of John Adams, the Declaration and the Constitution which was quite informative about the role Adams played in the writing of these documents.

Acting Saratoga NHP Supervisor
Chris Martin

Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Ray Raymond

At this point in the ceremony Danielle McMullen offered an acappella version of the Star Spangled Banner which was both dramatic and moving.

Vocalist Danielle McMullen

Gwynne Dinolfo, of the United Customs and Immigration Services, then led the citizens-to-be in the Oath of Allegiance. She was immediately followed by Corinne Scirocco, of the Saratoga Chapter of the NSDAR, leading all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

USCIS Field Office Director
Gwynne Dinolfo

NSDAR Saratoga Chapter Regent
Corinne Scirocco

New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner then addressed the new citizens. She informed them that her office would be sending out an invitation to each of the new citizens to come to the NY State Capitol, where she would provide them with a tour of the building. Her remarks also included a disclosure that she had ancestors present at the Battle of Saratoga; one on the Patriot side while another served the British.

A warm salutation was then delivered by Saratoga Battle Chapter President George F. Malinoski who also provided information on his ancestors as immigrants and as Patriots. Click here to read President Malinoski's salutation.

NY State Assemblywoman
Carrie Woerner

SBC President
George Malinoski

The podium was then turned over to Sylvia Anglin who is the Treasurer of the Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield. Mrs. Anglin, who was an immigrant from Panama and became an American citizen, spoke with heartfelt candor and patriotic enthusiasm about her journey from Panama to America and how the new citizens should never give up on pursuing their dreams.

FOSB Treasurer
Sylvia Anglin

The American's Creed was led by Benjamin Gallant of the C.A.R. Schuyler Society. Benjamin is a junior member of the Saratoga Battle Chapter and the son of First Vice-President and Treasurer Douglas Gallant.

NSCAR Schuyler Society Member
Benjamin Gallant

Of course, what would a Citizenship Ceremony be without the presentation of certificates of American citizenship to our new citizens? This was carried out by Gwynne Dinolfo of the USCIS. The last certificate was handed out to Christiaan Adrianus Zemering formerly of the Netherlands who after receiving his certificate exuberantly shouted out "Go USA!" which brought a rousing cheer and applause from all those assembled for the ceremony.

USCIS Field Office Director Gwynne Dinolfo
& new citizen Wladyslawa Gnidzinski (formerly from Poland)

The program then moved to one of key features of every Citizenship Ceremony, the Toasts to the Declaration of Independence led by Saratoga National Historical Park Ranger Joe Craig.

At the conclusion of the toasts, the crowd was once again treated to the beautiful voice of Danielle McMullen as she sang God Bless America. One of the new citizens, Wladyslawa Gnidzinski from Poland remarked later that she and her husband (a new citizen in 2011) always are brought to tears when they hear God Bless America. And with the rendition that Danielle performed, they were even more strongly moved now that Wladyslawa was an American citizen.

As the ceremony moved to its end, the colors were retired by the Boy Scouts and the Saratoga NHP Artillery Corps provided a fitting cannon salute.

Saratoga NHP Ranger
Joe Craig

Vocalist
Danielle McMullen

After the ceremony, Saratoga Battle Chapter members in attendance and the Schuyler Society of the C.A.R. were photographed.

(L-R) Nick Oxaal, Douglas Gallant, Patrick Reilly, George Malinoski,
Danielle McMullen, Duane Booth, Benjamin Gallant

(L-R) C.A.R. Schuyler Society members from left to right Nick Oxaal, Chris Oxaal,
Benjamin Gallant, Elizabeth Oxaal, Cami Hren, and Alexandra Oxaal.
Photo courtesy of Mary Oxaal

(L-R) Patrick Reilly, Benjamin Gallant, Teresa Gallant, Douglas Gallant, Nick Oxaal,
George Malinoski, Cami Hren, Sandy Zerrillo, Elizabeth Oxaal, Chris Oxaal,
Duane Booth, Mary Oxaal, and Alexandra Oxaal.
Photo courtesy of Mary Oxaal

Photo Credits: Photos courtesy of Duane Booth, except as noted.