Posted on 06/12/2008 4:54:18 AM PDT by PurpleMan
As U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III began to speak yesterday, American flags fluttered in the breeze and military aircraft zoomed overhead. The graves of soldiers, freshly dug and from centuries past, bore silent testimony. The 70 people summoned before him had committed no crime -- it was the happiest day of their lives.
Ellis had moved his Alexandria courtroom to Arlington National Cemetery to swear in immigrants from more than 30 countries as U.S. citizens, the first time a naturalization ceremony was held on the hallowed grounds in the cemetery's 144-year history. He wanted to impress upon the new citizens the sacrifices made for their freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Suprised?
http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=703 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.S._Ellis,_III
There’s a guy with his head screwed on right!
Someone is going to complain about this judge’s methods...
Just you wait.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103575.html
Takes you right to the article.
Had a judge do something similar when talking to the prospective jury in a trial.
Basically, here are rows and rows of people who gave their lives for America, we’re asking you to do your duty for a week.
I’m surprised this was reported in the ComPost.
The Editor in Charge of Hate America at the ComPost must have been out sick that day!
This is soooo right. I think all ceremonies should be done in National Cemeteries. What a touching backdrop of what it’s all about.
Oops. (dang)
“Ellis had moved his Alexandria courtroom to Arlington National Cemetery
to swear in immigrants from more than 30 countries as U.S. citizens”
A very good move to ensure solemnity for the ceremony.
As seeing how the silent sentries can even quiet, nay even enchant
chatty teenagers.
As witnessed in the excellent documentary listed below.
National Geographic: Arlington - Field of Honor
http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Arlington-Field-Honor/dp/B0007QS31U/ref=sr_1_1/102-6222808-0128941?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1213276275&sr=1-1
“A very good move to ensure solemnity for the ceremony.”
Oh, I’m sure when HE holds them in HIS courtsromm, the solemnity is well kept.
This jury is still out about the naturalization ceremony being held at the National Cemetery..
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
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