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Local Canadian completes her 7-year journey toward American citizenship

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Glenna Peterson, originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, recently received a surprise celebration from her co-workers at Lowe’s in North Warren. Glenna is pictured at right.

Glenna Peterson said farewell to Canada after being sworn in as an American citizen.

Glenna has lived in Chandler’s Valley with her husband, John, for the past seven years.

Glenna and John met and fell in love while working as missionaries in Tanzania. After getting married and spending five years in Africa, they decided to settle down in the states.

After going through the process of getting her green card, Glenna decided this was the year she was going to apply for naturalization.

She has worked at the North Warren Lowe’s for five years. She says she has really enjoyed becoming a part of the local community through her job and her and John’s church in Chandler’s Valley.

Friends and co-workers surprised her with an all-American picnic in her honor.

I asked Glenna; aside from falling in love with an American, what are some of the American values that drew her here.

“My green card grants almost all the rights of a citizen, but you can’t vote in a federal election.”

She lives here, works here and has for seven years.

“My green card would expire after 10 years and then I would have to renew it,” said Peterson. “Obtaining my citizenship makes me feel like I am more a part of it. This is my home now.”

“I admire the patriotism of Americans,” added Peterson, coincidentally one day prior to our nation’s birthday. “Canadians are patriotic, but we don’t show it in quite the same way. I like the way Americans wear it on their sleeve.”

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