# @mathieu.ai on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CcHXEbQr1NT
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61837654-mathieuai-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5aecb791c8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-04-09T03:20:46.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Mathieu Wauters (@mathieu.ai) — https://gondola.cc/mathieu.ai

## Caption

On April 8th, 1950, exactly 72 years ago today, my great uncle Jean De Meyer made his way from our hometown of Gent, Belgium to the port of Rotterdam where he kissed his loved ones (my grandparents and their friends) goodbye, boarded a ship named “American Judge” and embarked on a journey of a lifetime. A momentous decision that affected so many lives, including my own. Like so many American immigrants, he sought adventure and opportunity in America and found plenty of both! He started out as a sales person and later became a dentist in the military, serving in the Korean War, amongst other things. I’m told he was a real patriot and he has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetary. He also started a BIG American family, and I’m happy to say that I keep in touch with them. 

A few weeks ago, I had the great honor of following in uncle Jean’s footsteps by taking the Oath of Allegiance and joining this great American family. A big milestone in my own American adventure that started over a decade ago, and a proud day that I will remember for the rest of my life with joy. In looking back, I reflect on how lucky I have been, in large part because of some incredible people that have entered my life and have generously helped me along my path. I hope that more people get the same opportunities as me, especially those affected by war and other atrocities. 

So today I take a moment to share my gratitude to the people that have helped me, and look towards the future full of joy, hope, hunger, and joie-de-vivre. I can not wait to see what the next 10 years will bring, as I’m just getting started. To me, being American has more to do with sharing a mindset than sharing a passport or a heritage. Americans are inherently risk takers and go-getters. People that overcome obstacles, that are willing to take risks, fuck up, fall down 100 times but get up 101 and come back stronger. Always remembering where you came from, and being excited about where you’re headed. That’s what makes America great. The journey…is the destination.

To repeat the words of uncle Jean: I was born in Belgium, but I CHOSE to be an American! Cheers! 

#dualcitizen #americanboy #oath #citizen

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## Tags

americanboy, citizen, dualcitizen, oath

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