Today is Constitution Day and most Americans will go on about their daily lives unaware of the document that grants them most of the privileges we enjoy.

It was on this date in 1787 delegates gathered for the Constitutional Convention to sign the document in Philadelphia that formed “a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity …”

Sept. 17 is also recognized as Citizenship Day, and as such, several people from all around the nation will take the oath to become United States citizens and most will know word-for-word the “Preamble to the U.S. Constitution,” unlike many Americans who were born in the greatest nation on earth.

One such naturalization event happened right here in Oxford today in the U.S. District Courthouse. Several people came to the United States, the right way, and learned the laws and what it takes to become a citizen of this country.

When they do become citizens from their various different countries, they have great joy at being an American, unlike some who are born and raised here who don’t necessarily understand the struggles others go through to get here.

They came here, for whatever their personal reason, to become part of the greatest melting pot of humans ever in the history of man. That should make all of us stop and think and feel blessed to have been born in this nation.

We as a nation should once again take that oath of being great and welcoming all who want to come here legally and find their own “American dream.” We often times ask what could others contribute when they come to our country, but have you asked yourself lately what you have contributed to our nation?

Volunteer or do community service to show how much you appreciate all of the benefits we take for granted as citizens. Find a way to serve our nation.

Witnessing such a citizen naturalization is a reminder of how much freedom we actually enjoy as citizens who are born and raised as Americans, as well as reminding us how we should never take for granted the rights we enjoy as U.S. citizens.