By SHERI RYAN

tneditor@tnonline.comThis past week I read the Facebook post of a former co-worker which described her excitement as she prepared to take her American citizenship test.Originally from England, my friend Rita has very strong feelings toward the country she has called home for 20 years.I found her excitement toward America and the prospect of becoming a U.S. citizen to be very refreshing in light of the many unpleasant social, economic and governmental issues that have caused many of us to question the status and integrity of our nation.I was also quite curious about her decision and asked her a question that she has heard time and time again over the past few months: Why?"I love this country and would be proud to be an 'American' with a British accent!" she said."My loyalty is toward America," she added.Loyalty.She told me that America has done a lot more for her than England ever had.She also told me that people have a strong misconception about life in England."England is a beautiful and historic place to visit, but to live there is another matter."She went on to tell me, "The economy, unemployment, high taxes, and spineless government in the U.K. gets worse each time I visit."Additionally, she noted that wages in the U.K. are not in sync with the cost of housing, rent, food, etc.She finds Americans to be friendlier, more helpful and just plain nicer than the folks "across the pond."Following her original post, she was quite happy to inform everyone that she got every single U.S. history question correct that she was asked by the immigration officer who administered the test.I wonder how many of us would be able to score as well as she did.Another thing about America that really stuck out to Rita was the level of patriotism and pride in our country that Americans possess.She explained that there is no patriotism in the U.K.It was interesting to view our country through Rita's eyes and to see her so excited to become something most of us probably take for granted.Her final step is to pledge her allegiance.Admittedly, the first thing that came to mind was the good old Pledge of Allegiance that we all said every day of our lives during the school years.I knew it had to be more than that, but I did stop and think about those words that are forever engraved in my mind.I then took the time to look up the actual oath that Rita will make before becoming one of us.She will need to renounce her allegiance to England.She must be ready to "bear arms on behalf of the U.S." or "perform noncombatant service in the armed forces where required by law" and "perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law."The biggest part of her commitment to this country and its citizens is that she promises to "support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic," and if I know Rita, she will mean every word of that oath.By becoming a naturalized citizen, Rita will gain the right to vote, to serve on a jury and to run for office, and yet, so many of us do not bother to make it to the polls on Election Day, would never even consider stepping up to be the voice of many by running for office and will find any excuse to avoid having to sit for jury duty.I wish I could be there when Rita takes her oath; to see the huge smile on her face, the twinkle of excitement in her eyes and the pride that will exude from her posture as she pledges her allegiance and becomes one of us.Despite the many things that are wrong in this country, Rita's passion and enthusiasm in becoming an American citizen help to remind me of all the things that are right.