Ali Zarrabi waited 26 years for the day he could declare his allegiance to the United States of America, the country he calls home.
On Thursday, that day arrived.
Under a bright, sunny sky and a cool breeze, the Iran native was among 94 individuals representing more than 40 countries who became U.S. citizens at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
"America is freedom; America is the land of the free as they say," Zarrabi, 39, said after the ceremony, held under the cemetery's Armed Forces Pavilion.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee usually holds two naturalization ceremonies each year, but this is the first one at the cemetery.
The objective, said U.S. District Court Judge Harry S. "Sandy" Mattice, "is to convey to [the new citizens] that the American citizenship, as precious as it is, it does carry with it rights and privileges but also responsibilities and what has made this country great over the 200-plus years of our existence is the recognition of that fact by all our citizens, those native-born and naturalized."
PDF: Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test
That message resonated with Orlando Vidal and his wife, Lili Murphy Vidal, who proudly accepted the responsibility surrounded by more than 48,000 white gravestones.
"We are now part of this country," said Orlando Vidal, who drove from Oak Ridge, Tenn., for the ceremony.
Like many immigrants, the natives of Peru migrated to the United States six years ago to give their children a better life.
"We wanted to [become citizens] so they'll have better opportunities, but also for us, so we can be part of the United States, so we can participate in the elections," Orlando Vidal said.
In 2009, nearly 750,000 people became naturalized citizens nationwide. The leading country of birth was Mexico, followed by India, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security data.
At Thursday's ceremony in Chattanooga, the leading country was India, followed by Mexico and Colombia, although countries ranging from Australia to Romania and Haiti also were represented.
Even though it took Zarrabi 26 years and several types of visas to get to where he is today, he said it was time well spent.
His father believed in this country, he said, and it was his vision that his four children have a better life, Zarrabi said. Although his father died, Zarrabi said he would be really proud to see where they are today.
Zarrabi graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in accounting and, thanks to his employer, Tapco, he was able to get his permanent residence and subsequently apply for citizenship.
"It's a wonderful feeling and I'm so grateful to be here," he said between congratulatory hugs from family and friends.
BY THE NUMBERS
* 743,715: People who became naturalized citizens in 2009
* 111,630: New citizens whose country of birth was Mexico, the country with the highest number
* 94: People who became naturalized citizens Thursday
* 41: Number of countries of birth represented
* 4.6: Months of average naturalization processing time
Source: Department of Homeland Security, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
SAMPLE CIVICS TEST QUESTIONS
* How many amendments does the Constitution have? 27
* What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
* What is the "rule of law?" Everyone must follow the law/Leaders must obey the law/Government must obey the law/No one is above the law
* Who is in charge of the executive branch? The president
* Who is the chief justice of the United States now? John Roberts
Follow these links to view slideshows of previous Naturalization Ceremonies: