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I’m proud to pledge my allegiance to America

Ninety-four-year-old María Angela Cruz Mejía of Delano was the oldest of the 961 people who became new U.S. citizens at the June 13, 2017, naturalization ceremony at the Fresno Convention Center. She is from El Salvador and now lives in Delano.
Ninety-four-year-old María Angela Cruz Mejía of Delano was the oldest of the 961 people who became new U.S. citizens at the June 13, 2017, naturalization ceremony at the Fresno Convention Center. She is from El Salvador and now lives in Delano. JUAN ESPARZA LOERA Vida en el Valle

In response to Andrew Fiala’s column (June 17) on oaths and loyalty:

I recently obtained my certificate of naturalization. My parents became naturalized in 1975, but unfortunately three of us (their children) didn’t get that certificate, though we were naturalized under them. It’s been a long road and with Rep. David Valadao’s office helping me, I finally got it in 2015 at the age of 52.

On that day, I stood with many foreigners and pledged my oath of allegiance to the USA and the Constitution. I have never felt as patriotic as I did that day, and I’ve been in America since I was 3 months old.

Excuse me if I don’t understand Mr. Fiala’s reservations about oaths. I only understand how great I felt being American that day. Perhaps Mr. Fiala should read that oath before he gets philosophical.

Gary John Schraa, Hanford

This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 12:33 PM with the headline "I’m proud to pledge my allegiance to America."

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