A celebration in February

I got a letter in the mail yesterday. I passed a test that was very important to me and is something I have waited for most of my life. It looks like I will be absent from here for a few days in February while I attend (and take part in) a little ceremony.I wish I could invite all of you to this gathering. I consider Bezerkers/GLPers my "American Family" although you guys are spread all over the world. Just like Germans and German-Americans. More about this as we get closer to the last week in February. Thanks to all of my friends here.



Didja ever try to read a letter with tears in your eyes?

I am hoping to get one closer to me(Seattle) but that would mean waiting until Spring/Summer. I don't know if I want to wait that long. But then this is a day I have waited for most of my life, and in fact it came close to not happening.
Naturalization Ceremonies
Subject: Last Updated:
Naturalization Ceremonies 01/12/2011

NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES

The following is important information regarding naturalization ceremonies:

Naturalization ceremonies are usually conducted at the Fairplex in Pomona, the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Los Angeles Sports Arena, Quiet Cannon in Montebello, and the Los Angeles District Court. They are usually scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. See Naturalization Ceremony Schedule below for exact times.

Individuals should NOT appear at a Naturalization Ceremony expecting to be naturalized unless received an invitation letter, in advance of the ceremony, expressly stating that the individual should appear on a specific date and at a specific time.

The ceremony size varies between 75 and 5,000 applicants plus their guests.

Due to traffic congestion, it is strongly recommended that you arrive 20 minutes earlier or later than the time indicated on the Invitation Letter.

If the person who is being naturalized is elderly or has a difficult time walking, it is strongly recommended that he or she bring a wheel chair. The in-processing and out-processing of applicants and guests involves much walking, standing and waiting. It is tiring for the elderly and ill.

Applicants scheduled for 8:00 a.m. should expect to be on their way home by 11:00 a.m. at the latest. Applicants scheduled for 1:00 p.m. should expect to be on their way home by 3:00 p.m.

Elderly applicants should be accompanied by one adult family member. Although it is necessary to separate the applicants from the guests, it may be permissible to keep the elderly applicant and adult together throughout the ceremony.

Due to the large size of the naturalization facilities and the fact that applicants and guests are separated during processing, it is a good idea to have the applicant and guest designate a specific location to meet after the ceremony. Too often, individuals cannot locate each other at the conclusion of the ceremony.

NATURALIZATION CEREMONY SCHEDULE

United States District Court
Central District of California
312 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012


Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.lacclink.com
L.A. County Fairgrounds - Fairplex
1101 W. Mckinley Ave., Building 4
Pomona, Ca 91768
Park at Gate 17
www.fairplex.com

Quiet Cannon
901 North Via San Clemente
Montebello, CA 90640
www.quietcannon.com

Los Angeles Sports Arena
3939 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90037

January 2011 - September 2011
(Dates are subject to change.)
Ceremony Day and Date
Location
No. of Applicants Scheduled
Ceremony Time

January 06, 2011 (Thu.)
U.S.D.C. (L.A.)
75
1:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
January 19, 2011 (Wed.)
Fairplex***
3,500
8:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
January 19, 2011 (Wed.)
Fairplex***
3,500
1:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
February 10, 2011 (Thu.)
U.S.D.C. (L.A.)
75
1:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
February 11, 2011 (Fri.)
Q
1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
February 25, 2011 (Fri.)
Fairplex***
3,500
8:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
February 25, 2011 (Fri.)
Fairplex***
3,500
1:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m.



*Los Angeles Convention Center
**Quiet Cannon is located in Montebello
***Fairplex is located in Pomona
****Los Angeles Sports Arena