41 people take citizenship oath at Patrick Henry’s home

Anna Pergiotis arrived in the United States 41 years ago from Greece, grew up and raised a family.

Yesterday, hers was the first name called as a new citizen of this country in a naturalization ceremony at Scotchtown, Patrick Henry's home in Ashland.

"I should have done it years ago," Pergiotis said afterward. "It feels better."

In all, 41 individuals representing 24 countries took the oath of allegiance as U.S. citizens in the fourth naturalization ceremony held at Scotchtown.

One of them was Jakline Ongom, a native of Sudan who made the U.S. her home six years ago.

"I feel a little bit lost because I'm so happy," Ongom said, adding that she's excited to be able to vote in November's election.

Helping her do that was the League of Women Voters, which had representatives standing by afterward to assist the new citizens with voter registration.

"The pride's enormous," said Lynn Johnston, president of the Richmond Metropolitan Area League of Women Voters. "It's their first official act as a U.S. citizen."

This year's election, and immigration issues in particular, have sparked a lot of interest among those who have been living in the U.S. but not as citizens, said Sarah Taylor, Washington district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Last year, 690,000 individuals participated in immigration service naturalization ceremonies, including more than 14,000 in Virginia.

"This is an exciting time to be a U.S. citizen," Taylor said.

Abdullah Al-Atabe moved his family here from Baghdad a decade ago and out from under the rule of Saddam Hussein.

His children attend college and when his wife is sick, he can seek medical treatment for her -- opportunities that many Americans take for granted.

He, too, registered to vote yesterday.

"I wanted to be an American," he said. "It's good for us." Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .