Kinston celebrates new US citizens at Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony

KINSTON, Lenoir County — The newest US citizens in Eastern Carolina say this year Independence Day has special meaning. News12 went to the annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony in Kinston.

It was an emotional ceremony, twenty-three people from 18 different countries all came here to the Historic Harmony Hall, and it was all smiles when they received their US citizenship.

This Independence Day Holiday is special for these 23 immigrants from around the world taking the oath to become United States Citizens.

Related: Lenoir County hosts Fourth of July citizenship ceremony at Harmony Hall

Multiple elected officials like Mayor Don Hardy and Congressman Greg Murphy came to congratulate these new US Citizens. It’s a testimony to the hard work each and every one of them put in to get to this point.

“I’m just excited to be here and to see that there’s some smiles on people’s faces and people have accomplished a great goal as becoming a US Citizen," says Kinston Mayor Don Hardy.

It’s a goal Kelechi Ogbonnaya from Nigeria tells me took two years to get to. He says it’s a moment he will never forget.

“It’s just a lot of emotion because I started this journey quite a long time ago, and to see it come to fruitionI can’t wait to go back to my family and everybody celebrating with me," says Kelechi Ogbonnaya, US Citizen.

The ceremony has been a Kinston staple since 2011 and every 4th of July, people like Kelechi are recognized for all the work they’ve put in.

“I’m here and I’m now a citizen of the United States and I’m proud to be part of the community and what y’all have here and it’s an honor," says Kelechi Ogbonnaya.

It’s a celebration Mayor Hardy says he looks forward to every year and he’s already excited for the next 4th of July.