Kathleen's Naturalization Ceremony - August 21, 2009

At Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse

		Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse - in fact, it is the tallest courthouse in the United States! On August 21, 2009.
		Courthouse reflected on mirror-windowed building
		The Old Courthouse
		After we entered the courthouse, we took an elevator to the third floor - this is our first view of the future United States citizens plus their friends.
		Looking down to the first floor where we entered.
		Looking up
		Kathleen in pink, near to the left.
		North Courtroom is where the Naturalization Ceremony is to take place.
		Camera-shy Kathleen
		Now Kathleen is brave!
		Kathleen turned in her Green Card and filled out the brief application to the Dept. of Homeland Security official.
		Dept. of Homeland Security official shows Kathleen where to sign her name on the Naturalization paper.
		Kathleen signs
		We entered the North Courtroom and Kathleen was assigned to Seat #8. Each seat had a blue-bag package - Kathleen picked hers up and examined it. Now she reads the Naturalization Ceremony Program.
		Front cover of the program
		Second page of the program
		Third page of the program
		Back cover of the program
		Bob sits and waits for one hour before the ceremony begins! - Notice that a blue-bag package rests on each seat - for future U.S. citizens.
		This is the Federal Courtroom
		Close-up of Bob
		Kathleen sits among the future U.S. citizens
		Kathleen looks happy
		More people come in - left half of the courtroom
		More people come in - right half of the courtroom
		Seal of the United States of America
		Bob and Kathleen - we were asked to move up to this table since a lady was coming with C.A.R.T. equipment and we were to read the words on the laptop monitor. C.A.R.T. stands for Computer Assisted Realtime Translation.
		Kathleen chats with our friend Chris Willenbrock, the only deaf 'witness' we had.
		Debbie sets up the C.A.R.T.
		(The U.S. District Court Judge) Honorable Rodney W. Sippel commences.
		Honorable Rodney W. Sippel
		Attorney Peter J. Dunne sings "God Bless America"
		C.A.R.T. in action
		Attorney Peter J. Dunne speaks of his grandfather who became naturalized U.S. citizen at the other courthouse across the street. His grandfather came from Ireland. He held his late grandfather's Certificate of Naturalization.
		C.A.R.T. still in action
		Jane Rund, Assistant United States Attorney and Naturalization Examiner, goes through the motion - she called for each person to stand up and identify (him/her)self.
		Jane Rund calls for Kathleen Crowell
		Kathleen stands up and identifies herself.
		Kathleen's words on the laptop monitor
		Aleksandr Panchenko (on second row, standing) said that he left Russia for America during its worst financial crisis in 1998 - now, being in the United States, he says, "Here I go again!" (followed by an outburst of laughter) - He works for an investment firm. The U.S. Air Force servicewoman, sitting to right (on third row), is Katarzyna Maria Sondej who came from Poland.
		Kathleen says, "I do!" (she reads the Oath from the laptop monitor) - the rest of people take the Oath simultaneously.
		Taking Oath
		Jeanne Parttrin, Deputy Clerk administers the Oath
		C.A.R.T. - generated messages on the laptop monitor
		Pledge of Allegiance
		The National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner"
		Jeanne Pattrin hands the Certificate of Naturalization to Kathleen. - much like a graduation ceremony.
		Attorney Peter J. Dunne, Honorable Rodney W. Sippel and Kathleen
		Kathleen proudly shows her Certificate of Naturalization (the naturalization registration numbers were blurred, for security reasons). Now she is a United States citizen as well as an American!!!
		After exiting the ceremony, Kathleen did her FIRST responsibility to the United States - Register to Vote!
		Kathleen registers to vote! (anyone who refuses to register to vote is considered to be un-American!)
		Kathleen's first lunch as an American citizen! She had fried catfish nuggets and french fries in the courthouse cafeteria.
		As we walked across the first floor, I looked up and took this picture.
		Plague honoring Missouri Senator Thomas F. Eagleton.
		See - Naturalization Ceremony took place in this second level of windows
		The Old Courthouse
		The Busch Stadium - from the top floor of the Stadium-West Parking Garage.
		Close-up of the 'Third Base' Entrance - look at Stan Musial statue near to the right.
		Wide-angle of the previous photo
		Nice view
		BUSCH STADIUM
		The grassy area used to be the old stadium.

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