103-year-old Cambodian woman becomes US citizen

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (WPVI) -- A 103-year-old Cambodian woman who survived war, starvation and violence is now a United States citizen.

KABC-TV reports, Hong Inh smiled and waved a tiny American flag as she and 10,000 others took part in a naturalization ceremony at the convention center in downtown Los Angeles.

She came to the United States when she was 97 years old to join three generations of her family.

"Especially my grandma, so four generations now, four generations," said one of her granddaughters, Siv Taing.

From her 80-year-old daughter to her 13-year-old great-granddaughter, they all were on hand for this incredible moment.

"I'm so happy today, so proud of my grandmother to be a citizen, this is her dream come true," said Taing.

Her relatives helped Hong Inh up from her wheelchair and she stood with a flag in her hand to receive the oath. Her grandson spoke the words but she joined in the roar of applause at its conclusion.

Later, she stood again with her hand over her heart for the Pledge of Allegiance and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

She has 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren living in the U.S. and Cambodia. And surprisingly, Hong Inh is not the oldest person to become a U.S. citizen.

A Turkish immigrant from Los Angeles was 117 years old when she took the oath back in 1997.

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