20 immigrants become citizens

FREMONT — Earlier this month, 20 immigrants from across the world became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony. It occurred on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums site in Fremont. Judge Darrell Clay — of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division — administered the oath of allegiance to the new citizens from the verandah of the historic home of the 19th president, Rutherford Hayes, and his first lady, Lucy Hayes. These citizens came from 20 different countries, including Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Germany, Egypt and Costa Rica. The ceremony took place as part of the first Rutherford B. Hayes Day Celebration in Ohio, which marked Hayes' birthday one day prior, Oct. 4. It was celebrated on Oct. 5, because the U.S. military sent by the sitting president always lays a wreath at the president's tomb on the Sunday closest to his birthday. The wreath-laying ceremony took place after the naturalization ceremony. Following the naturalization and wreath-laying ceremonies, cake and ice cream were served.