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Andrea Eschen's avatar

Hooray! It's Thursday and get to look forward to Geography of Home. And today Home has yet another meaning. Heartiest congratulations on becoming a citizen! That's a very big deal. You've worked very hard to achieve that in many more ways than studying for an exam. You must be so excited. It's also a big priviledge to be a citizen of two globally important democratic countries, even if each is bit or completely screwed up.

Although I got about half the test questions right, the thought of the questions of what might be on the citizenship exam for Spain sends shivers down my spine. All those kings, queens, dukes, princes, princesses, infantas, and the rest. I can never keep them straight. What's worse I don't even care if I remember who they are. Except of courese, Ferdinand and Isabella who keep coming up my Snippets from Spain. They are memorable.

I too hope to become a Spanish citizen. If I live and pay taxes here, I want to have a say in matters. I don't want to lose my American citizenship as I still want to vote there. Your post makes me think more deeply about what it means to pledge allegiance to two countries. Does that mean I'm equally loyal? Would I have to choose one over another somehow? Do I say I'm American or Spanish? Probably American - or both.

I share your memories and feelings about the Pledge of Allegiance. Even though I spouted the words and often didn't think about them, many times I did. And I felt proud that my country tried to uphold those values even though the methods were sometimes questionable.

I felt the same way, almost teary sometimes, about some of the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner:

And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Pray that our first country will continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

8 out of 13! Seems I'm barely British after all!

Wow, Sabrina, such a fabulous post - I'm so thrilled for you. In answer to your question I have never knowingly pledged allegiance - apart from as a Brownie and a Guide, when I promised 'that I will do my best, to do my duty to God, to serve the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Brownie Guide Law'. And at school we didn't have to pledge allegiance in the way that happens across the pond, but as part of our daily assembly we did all recite The Lord's Prayer.

I think I'm correct in thinking that my American SIL and my British-but-US-based-since-1982 uncle have become citizens of the nations in which they have chosen to reside.

Awesome post! I'd saved it up to read, and it's given me such delight this afternoon. Thank you.

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