Bandelier holding citizenship program

For the sixth year, Bandelier National Monument is partnering with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to host a naturalization ceremony on the Fourth of July. The event is open to the public.

Fourteen candidates will take the oath and become new U.S. citizens. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday behind the Bandelier Visitor Center.

Speakers include Los Alamos County Council Chair David Izraelevitz, himself an immigrant from Uruguay, and Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott. Alicia Solomon, a soloist with the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Symphony and the Desert Chorale, will sing the national anthem.

The Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office will have staff present to give the new citizens an opportunity to register as voters. Each citizenship candidate will be presented with an American flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol, courtesy of Bandelier. The Herrera Family Dancers from Cochiti Pueblo will present traditional dances, and refreshments will be provided by the Los Alamos Rotary Club.

Atomic City Transit will provide special bus runs for the participants and park visitors. Because parking is limited at Bandelier, visitors must catch free park shuttles from the White Rock Visitor Center. Buses depart every 20 minutes beginning at 9 a.m., and the last run returns to White Rock at 5 p.m. For more information, call 505672-3861 ext. 517.