Hundreds become citizens to "dream their dreams"

The uniformed Fort Lewis soldier gravely recited his oath of citizenship, quietly sang "God Bless America" and expressed his surprise that more than 500 other immigrants were becoming U.S. citizens with him.

For Enrique Ureta, 35, the oath on the Fourth of July brought him full circle from his personal vow after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — to do whatever he could to serve the United States.

In October, while stationed in Mosul, Iraq, Ureta signed up to become a citizen. On Wednesday, underneath the noonday sun at Seattle Center, the Renton resident who serves in the 70th Regional Readiness Command, 164th Maintenance Company, formally renounced his Philippines citizenship while taking on his new one.

"I want to become part of the political process, especially in these sensitive times," Ureta said, adding that he hopes to vote for politicians who will bring home the troops in a "peaceful" way.

Eight members of the military were among the 552 immigrants from 82 countries who took their oath of citizenship at Seattle's 23rd annual Fourth of July naturalization ceremony. Former Gov. Gary Locke, Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott, Secretary of State Sam Reed and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels offered inspirational speeches and congratulations.

Seated next to each other, Canadian citizen Sharon Lough and Scottish citizen Anne-Marie Trombold talked about their jobs as a kayak instructor and a physical therapist, respectively, the lives they've led since moving to the United States and their desire to vote.

"I've been very apathetic with politics and realize it's time to become more involved in this nation," said Trombold, 47, who lives in Issaquah. "I'd like to be able to vote, especially for president."

Both women laughed as they talked about studying hard for their citizenship tests — memorizing details about the Bill of Rights, the executive branch and the Emancipation Proclamation.

French citizen Debora Parsons, who lives in Winthrop, said she had thought about becoming a citizen after meeting her husband while she was working as a flight attendant, but the real influence came once she started having kids.

"You have rights in France, but [here] you can start your business and dream your dreams," said the stay-at-home mom of three young children.

During his congratulatory address, Locke, the son of immigrants himself, talked not only of the importance of voting, but how U.S. citizens should question politicians. He recalled his mother attending the same naturalization ceremony more than 50 years ago and the pride she felt when she took her oath.

"Anyone who is willing to work hard can succeed," Cantwell said. "We come together as Americans because there's more that unites us than divides us."

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com