2009-05-01T21:19:04Z My mother and I had become US citizens nine years ago in 1998. I remember pledging allegiance under the American flag for the first time in the immigration office. I questioned if I was ready to renounce my homeland China, whether I would ever be completely loyal to America as my new homeland. <br><br>Over the years, I’ve struggled with the idea, unable to truly see my reflection as an American. At the time, I didn’t identify with this nationality and when in debates about US politics, felt extremely uncomfortable when the word “we” was used to refer to Americans. <br><br> Changes happened quietly in me over the years. I grew to understand the true meaning of freedom and liberty. A few years ago, in 2005, I visited the Vietnam War Memorial while I was in DC for a conference. I was unprepared by how much the memorial moved me. I looked at the names carved on the black marble, its reflections of the green lawn, the blue sky and visitors in the marble. Seeing the red carnations laid in front of it, waves of emotions washed over me. I felt an immense sense of pride. This was the first moment I began to relate to myself as an American. I am proud to be a citizen of a country that protects my freedom and rights as a true free person. --Hao Li 13 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z 38.892091 -77.024055 washington dc 15 0 2009-05-01T21:28:42Z