COUNTY LIFE

38 years after he arrived in the U.S. Bowie man takes oath as a new citizen

Published

6 years ago

08/04/2018

Ricky Delao poses for a photo with Lady Liberty after he took the oath of citizenship during recent ceremonies. (Courtesy photo)

By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Thirty-eight years after he arrived in the United States as an eight-year-old boy Ricky Delao held up his right hand and gave the “Oath of Allegiance” to the United States of America.
He gave up his long-held green card and became a naturalized American citizen excited to enjoy all the rights and benefits that come with that designation.
Delao, 46, from Bowie celebrated this landmark day with his children, Monica, Lexis and Colby, who were visibly proud of their dad. He joined 42 other immigrants on July 23 in a naturalization ceremony in Irving.
When asked why it took him so long to seek out citizenship, Delao does not hesitate to say he should have done it a long time ago, but he decided more than a year ago it was finally time.
“I have been here a lot of years and I should have done it before because it has so many opportunities that come with it, such as voting,” said Delao.

Delao was born in Juarez, Mexico just across the border from El Paso. His father traveled into the U.S. every day on a work visa to provide for his family returning home to Mexico each night. His mother was a stay at home mom who with her husband would raise six children, all boys. Two of those boys were born in the United States.
“My dad made much better money coming over here and he wanted to save as much as he could to bring us to the United States. That happened around 1980 when I was eight,” recalls Delao.

Read the full feature in your weekend News.

COUNTY LIFE

New flag poles installed at military memorials

Published

3 days ago

11/16/2024

bowienews

These new flag poles were installed at the military markers located near the Bowie Senior Citizens Center in Pelham Park. They were purchased by the Bowie Parks Board. (Photo by Barbara Green)

COUNTY LIFE

Letters to Santa due by Dec. 4

Published

3 days ago

11/16/2024

bowienews

Hey kids, it’s time to get your letters ready for Santa Claus!
The Bowie News invites families to submit their letters to Santa for publication in the Dec. 21 edition. Forms are available on our Facebook page and at bowienewsonline.com.
Print out a form and drop it off in Santa’s mailbox at the News office, 200 Walnut Street or in one of the school Santa boxes across the county.
Deadline to send in a letter is Dec. 4. While this may seem early there are hundreds of letters to type and then they have to ship off to the North Pole for the Big Guy to read.

COUNTY LIFE

New mayor takes oath in Saint Jo

Published

3 days ago

11/16/2024

bowienews

A new mayor and two returning aldermen took the oath of office on Nov. 13 for the Saint Jo City Council.
The three races were uncontested during the recent election. Kelly Williamson will take over as mayor, as Colton Thomas and Melissa McPherson continue in their places. Thomas was elected to be mayor pro tem.
Aldermen took care of numerous organizational tasks related to its economic development boards and the council. Former Mayor Shawn Anderson and Hennessey were removed from city-related accounts, with the new mayor and mayor pro tem and McPherson were added to the city accounts.

Read the full story in your weekend Bowie News.

Pictured: New officers took the oath this week: Councilors Colton Thomas and Melissa McPherson, new Mayor Kelly Williamson and outgoing mayor Shawn Armstrong. (Courtesy photo)