Jul 4, 2009 8:24 am US/Eastern
7 Members Of U.S. Armed Forces To Become Citizens
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
In a special naturalization ceremony at the Statue of Liberty on July 4, seven members of the U.S. armed forces become citizens of the United States.
The seven join more than 47,000 non-citizens who have served in the military since 9/11 and have become U.S. citizens through special "fast-track" provisions.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute will administer the oath of allegiance to them and they will climb the statue's crown, which opens to the public for the first time since the terror attacks.
Since 9/11, the statue's top has been closed because of security reasons, but now, for the first time in eight years, the public will be allowed to climb to the top.
"The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of New York and America and this is the weekend to do it," said Keras Dastur.
"It's a symbol for all of us, new immigrants and old immigrants, so I wanted to see it," said Charmine Britton.
Like every other day since 9/11, the furthest anyone could travel was to the base of the statue. But come Saturday, Lady Liberty's body will be opened all the way to her crown.
"Without her, there wouldn't be a symbol of freedom," said Aleyna Bartnick.
Now that the balance has been struck between access to a national landmark and public protection, there will be limitations.
"Only about 200-250 people a day, which is maybe less than one percent of the daily visitation out here," said Debra Sturm of the National Park Service.
The Park Service said it's as ready as can be.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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