January 03, 2010
Subject: U.S.S. Missouri
Dear Mr. Gregory:
My name is Vicki (Greene) Scheliga. My maternal Grandmother was Ivah Z. Jones, National President of Blue Stars Mothers of America.
Unfortunately she passed away in 1958 so I am only going through her things now. She has was in chaa program for
11-11-54 from the U.S.S. Missiouri, Naturalization Ceremonies in which Captain J.R. North, Commander was in
charge. I would like to know two things. First if I were to take a trip to Hawaii, would it be possible to go aboard the Missouri to see what my grandmother saw and second how do I get any extensive information about the ceremony possibly including my grandmother at that time?
She was a grand woman, she was also a YN1(T) with the U.S. Coast Guard and traveled extensively during her time as President Blue Star and even have letters from A President and Vice President Nixon and of course several Governors for the States in the East where she traveled.
Any information on how I might get the above information would be appreciated.
Thank you your time.
Vicki (Greene) Scheliga, granddaughter of Ivah Z. Jones
Vicki,
USS Missouri is berthed alongside Forde Island at Honolulu, and if you made the journey there, you could certainly go onboard this historic Battleship.
In 2005 for the 60th anniversary of signing the Japanese surrender on her decks when she was in Tokyo Bay, my wife
Denise and I were invited from Austyralia to be present for that wonderful ceremony, a day we will never forget. To wind up the ceremony, the recording of General MacArthur's voice from the original day was rebroadcast, to hear Douglas MacArthur's voice boom out across her deck was an eyrie experience.
The oath taken at a US Naturalization Ceremony:
United States Naturalization Oath Ceremony
a.. Taking the Oath
b.. Oath Ceremony Date/Time Conflict
c.. Responsibilities of a Untied States Citizen
d.. Naturalization Certification
Taking the Oath
You become a citizen as soon as you take the Oath of
Allegiance to the United States. In some places, you
can choose to take the Oath the same day as your
interview. If that option is not available or if you
prefer a ceremony at a later date, USCIS will notify
you of the ceremony date with a "Notice of
Naturalization Oath Ceremony" (Form N-445).
After your application has been granted you will be
notified the date and time for your Oath of
Allegiance ceremony. USCIS will send you a notice
(N-445) "Notice for Naturalization Oath Ceremony".
If more than one day has passed between your
interview and the Oath ceremony, you will be asked
to answer some questions (provided on the back of
the N-445). For example, 'Have you traveled out of
the US since your interview?'. You should read and
mark these questions before you arrive for the
ceremony.
Finally, take the oath. You are not a citizen of the
US until you take the Oath of Allegiance. An officer
will read out each part of the oath and you will be
asked to repeat his/her words. To become a citizen,
one must take the oath of allegiance.
By doing so, an applicant swears to:
a.. Support the Constitution and obey the laws of
the U.S.;
b.. Renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign
title; and
c.. Bear arms for the Armed Forces of the U.S. or
perform services for the government of the U.S.
when required.
In certain instances, where the applicant
establishes that he or she is opposed to any type of
service in armed forces based on religious teaching
or belief, INS will permit these applicants to take
a modified oath. You have to provide documents
supporting your religious beliefs.
Guide to naturalization records of the United States By Christina K. Schaefer
At page 42 is a photo of the Naturalization Ceremony of 11/11/1954 but it will not copy or print for me.
See this URL:
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=e_4GbQbDKOIC&pg=PP13&lpg=PP13&dq=USS+Missouri+naturalization+Ceremony&source=bl&ots=DWwQmdvetY&sig=vPU-irZqQtr04dzJwg5GSMJeCIg&hl=en&ei=cNU_S_vQKZWXkQWl_9n-CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CA0Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=USS%20Missouri%20naturalization%20Ceremony&f=false
http://www.bluestarmothers.org/
Vicki, I guess that is about as far as I can go to help.
Best regards and wishes for 2010.
Mackenzie.
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