BEATRICE - The United States of America gained a new group of citizens on Thursday afternoon. 


26 citizens from 18 different countries gained US citizenship as part of a naturalization ceremony at the Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice. The ceremony is one of 235 between the dates of September 17-23 as part of Constitution Week and Citizenship Day. Over 19,000 people will become new citizens.

On hand were representatives from the offices of Senator's Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer and members of the USCIS. Congressman Adrian Smith also wrote a remark that was read during the ceremony.

The ceremony also included the Beatrice Fire Department presenting the nation's colors and a vocalist singing patriotic songs.