New U.S. citizens take Oath of Allegiance during Presidents Day naturalization ceremony

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Inside the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, dozens of people took the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalized U.S. citizens as part of a naturalization ceremony on Presidents Day.

80 people from 36 different countries started a new chapter as U.S. citizens on Monday, including Frank Boakye.

“I’m proud of it. I’m so happy to be here and to be a citizen today,” he told 12 On Your Side. “It just shows how beautiful America is. They welcome everybody, and everybody is welcome here.”

Boakye, who is from Ghana, came to the U.S. when he was young and said his journey to this point has been nearly two decades in the making.

“There are so many other jobs to survive, and finally, today, I’m a proud citizen of America,” he said.

Family and friends filled the auditorium to support their loved ones during this process, a moment Daniil Herashchanka said he will always cherish.

“I’ve been here for 20 years, so I think today is just pretty awesome. I can be a citizen to our country that my kids are,” he said.

Herashchanka, who is from Belarus, remembers when he came to the U.S. as a young boy.

“First time I came visit, was when I was seven years old. Chernobyl brought me here,” he said. “The fallout was in an area where I grew up.”

It is a moment that unites people from around the globe, all for one reason.

“Possibilities are limitless here,” said Herashchanka.

“I’m just happy to be here today. I’m happy I’m a citizen from today, and I’m glad about it,” said Boakye.

After the ceremony, family and friends were able to celebrate their loved ones and their milestones with special activities at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.