Jump to content
teresaandkurt

Variation in ceremonies... Lee Greenwood?? Really?

 Share

16 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline

So, my husband participated in the oath ceremony last week in Durham, NC. (woohoo!) All we had read leading up to the event, and the specific instructions in the oath notification letter led us to believe this was to be a solemn, official proceeding. I was expecting an atmosphere not unlike court...or perhaps like a legislative session. Formal. Dignified. I have to say I was more than a little taken aback by the actual experience. It felt a little more like a pep rally at an SEC football game... complete with a halftime show including Lee Greenwood and John Philips Sousa.... It just made me wonder how much leeway there is in how the ceremony is conducted. I mean, if we were going to go so far as to include Lee Greenwood, why couldn't we have had some James Brown Living in America, too?

It was just a little weird to me...ESPECIALLY given that they went to such lengths to make sure we knew that we should dress nicely because it was such a momentous ceremony.

Anyone else have a lee greenwood video played for them?

Meet in paradise smile.png 04 Jul 2009, Waikiki
T visits K_____________Jan 2010 Married, Waikiki_______28 Dec 2010 ROC I751 NOA __________30 Apr 2013

T visits K_____________Jun-Aug 2010 AOS/AP/EAD NOA1________14 Mar 2011 Biometrics, Glenmont___11 Jun 2013
I129F NOA1_____________27 Apr 2010 NOA: Xfer to CSC_______24 Mar 2011 ROC Approved___________27 Aug 2013
I129F NOA2_____________16 Jun 2010 Bio Appt, Glenmont_____08 Apr 2011 N-400 filed____________28 Feb 2015

Interview in Sydney____14 Sep 2010 EAD/AP card rec'd _____06 May 2011 Oath Ceremony _________12 Jun 2015
K arrives LAX__________01 Nov 2010 Green card approved ___13 Jul 2011

Green card approved ___13 Jul 2011

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, we did, and it was even a more formal of a ceremony than usual, since it was all members of the military in uniform taking their oath.

So, my husband participated in the oath ceremony last week in Durham, NC. (woohoo!) All we had read leading up to the event, and the specific instructions in the oath notification letter led us to believe this was to be a solemn, official proceeding. I was expecting an atmosphere not unlike court...or perhaps like a legislative session. Formal. Dignified. I have to say I was more than a little taken aback by the actual experience. It felt a little more like a pep rally at an SEC football game... complete with a halftime show including Lee Greenwood and John Philips Sousa.... It just made me wonder how much leeway there is in how the ceremony is conducted. I mean, if we were going to go so far as to include Lee Greenwood, why couldn't we have had some James Brown Living in America, too?

It was just a little weird to me...ESPECIALLY given that they went to such lengths to make sure we knew that we should dress nicely because it was such a momentous ceremony.

Anyone else have a lee greenwood video played for them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Serbia
Timeline

That's has been pretty much the standard.

I was naturalized in 2001 and had known quite few peeps that were naturalized over the years.

Everyone experienced Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA with a slideshow on the YS and it's beautiful scenery

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

I love that song. being in the military and stationed in Korea we were often in military exercises, when that song played over the loudspeakers base wide we knew we the war exercises were over. It's just a good song. :dance::yes:

That song codifies what's good about being an American. It's a staple at any patriotic event.

Edited by Shauneg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
Timeline

With all due respect to differences of opinion, I think it's a terrible song; absolutely awful musically speaking. It's poorly composed, the lyrics don't flow logically, and the performer's singing ability isn't even on par with other country singers.

That being said, it's very popular and it's definitely patriotic and many people like it. I find it a little embarrassing that they would choose that song over My Country Tis of Thee or America the Beautiful... if you want a feel-good patriotic song, either one of those is a far better song. But others like it and it doesn't really hurt me in any way to listen to a song I don't like. I'm glad it makes others feel good; they should on such a special day.

On second thought, maybe not My Country Tis of Thee... I think it's a beautiful song, but it was, after all, written to the melody of God Save the Queen! :-)

For a review of each step of my N-400 naturalization process, from application to oath ceremony, please click here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Serbia
Timeline

I have to say, I used to feel the same as you JimmyHou

And I do still agree that the song, lyrics and the whole arrangement is far away from being great.

But, what I have realized is that this song can and has been successfully bringing the spirit of Americans and what the America stands for. And that feeling that I often see in the people listening to that songs has nothing to do with a song, more like a song is used as a trigger to feel very patriotic at the given moment.

I don't know, maybe I won't be understood here, but that song.. However poorly written, did grew on me and do feel chills when I hear it. Maybe because it reminds me when I became a citizen and there is a whole movie playing in front of my eyes of what I have accomplished and life I lead in the past 14 years...

So although I do consider myself a 'music snob' , this song does get a pass.. Every time :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

With all due respect to differences of opinion, I think it's a terrible song; absolutely awful musically speaking. It's poorly composed, the lyrics don't flow logically, and the performer's singing ability isn't even on par with other country singers.

That being said, it's very popular and it's definitely patriotic and many people like it. I find it a little embarrassing that they would choose that song over My Country Tis of Thee or America the Beautiful... if you want a feel-good patriotic song, either one of those is a far better song. But others like it and it doesn't really hurt me in any way to listen to a song I don't like. I'm glad it makes others feel good; they should on such a special day.

On second thought, maybe not My Country Tis of Thee... I think it's a beautiful song, but it was, after all, written to the melody of God Save the Queen! :-)

I would have no problem with America The Beautiful....amazing song.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: India
Timeline

I wish my husband's had been a little more laid back or at a different venue...we were in a Federal Court with no chance of taking photos.

Edited to add - there was no music at all.

Edited by catknit
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Yep mine and my daughter's were equally tacky in that respect, I thought it tooka way from the importance of the event. The head person from the Fairfax, VA office was the biggest goober ever - she sang along (off key) and encouraged us to sing and wave our little hand flags as well - uh no, I wouldn't be caught dead singing some schmaltzy song, national anthem yes, Lee Greenwood no.

Wiz(USC) and Udella(Cdn & USC!)

Naturalization

02/22/11 - Filed

02/28/11 - NOA

03/28/11 - FP

06/17/11 - status change - scheduled for interview

06/20?/11 - received physical interview letter

07/13/11 - Interview in Fairfax,VA - easiest 10 minutes of my life

07/19/11 - Oath ceremony in Fairfax, VA

******************

Removal of Conditions

12/1/09 - received at VSC

12/2/09 - NOA's for self and daughter

01/12/10 - Biometrics completed

03/15/10 - 10 Green Card Received - self and daughter

******************

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

I didn't but "Living in America" would have been awesome ! Think "Rocky 4" !

I heard starting August 1 each person taking the oath will be required to wear the following....

post-200744-0-87157400-1434744852_thumb.jpg

Edited by Shauneg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Wow, I did not know this. We are filing ROC soon and can file N-400 in less than a year (3 year marriage rule).,.,.but this is exciting to read. Had not thought about it yet.

But, I will tell my wife tomorrow, she will be surprised also, I thought we would be in a court room or something like that.

Thanks for the info!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline

I heard starting August 1 each person taking the oath will be required to wear the following....

attachicon.gifApollo2.jpg

That's fantastic!

Meet in paradise smile.png 04 Jul 2009, Waikiki
T visits K_____________Jan 2010 Married, Waikiki_______28 Dec 2010 ROC I751 NOA __________30 Apr 2013

T visits K_____________Jun-Aug 2010 AOS/AP/EAD NOA1________14 Mar 2011 Biometrics, Glenmont___11 Jun 2013
I129F NOA1_____________27 Apr 2010 NOA: Xfer to CSC_______24 Mar 2011 ROC Approved___________27 Aug 2013
I129F NOA2_____________16 Jun 2010 Bio Appt, Glenmont_____08 Apr 2011 N-400 filed____________28 Feb 2015

Interview in Sydney____14 Sep 2010 EAD/AP card rec'd _____06 May 2011 Oath Ceremony _________12 Jun 2015
K arrives LAX__________01 Nov 2010 Green card approved ___13 Jul 2011

Green card approved ___13 Jul 2011

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...