Many of us, quite understandably, tend to take our U.S. citizenship for granted, because we have become so accustomed to the many wonderful rights and privileges that just "being an American" assures us.
But it was good for us to be reminded of the blessings of American citizenship as more than a hundred people from more than 40 foreign countries became Americans on Thursday in ceremonies at our local National Guard Armory.
In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, more than 619,000 people in the United States became naturalized citizens -- more than 4,200 of them in Tennessee, and 213 in Chattanooga.
With our new citizens having commendably completed the legal process, it is good for all of us to be reminded of our privileges -- and our responsibilities.
Do you remember our Pledge of Allegiance, perhaps from school days, or military service? Shall we ponder it anew?
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all."