Generations of Americans have carried a torch for her — and yesterday, 125 more were added to their ranks, becoming naturalized citizens in a special ceremony at the Statue of Liberty to mark her 125th birthday.
Commemorating the day that France’s gift of friendship was dedicated in 1886, the immigrants — 13 of them members of the Armed Forces — were sworn in on Liberty Island.
“You represent what is best about America,’’ US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar told the newly minted Americans. “We are a nation of diverse people. Throughout our history, our diversity has been our strength.’’
Among the new citizens — who hail from 46 countries, including Albania, Brazil, Ethiopia and Haiti — was Brooklynite Adeniyi Rufai, 33, a native of Nigeria who came here two years ago and proudly wore his US Navy uniform.
“I’m delighted, very, very happy,’’ he said of becoming naturalized. “Being a citizen gives me a lot of economic freedom and opportunity.’’