http://www.wral.com/apncnews/9461072/detail.html

GAFFNEY, S.C. -- Erica Youngleson plans to fly Old Glory high on the Fourth of July.

Youngleson, a native of South Africa, will fly her flag for only the second time since she became a U.S. citizen June 13, the day before Flag Day.

"I flew my flag for the first time on Flag Day," she said. "I found the perfect place for my flag, I put it around the side of my house where my deck is. It's a great big flag that looks fabulous blowing in the breeze."

Youngleson said the American flag is especially meaningful to her, since the South African flag she was born under no longer exists after the country adopted a new flag.

"I have a flag, a real flag, an earned flag," Youngleson said.

The naturalization process took about 10 years for Youngleson, who relocated to the United States with her former employer, MasterCraft, in 1996.

Youngleson, a textile stylist, moved to Rutherfordton, N.C., with her 9-year-old son.

"It was hard," said Youngleson, who now is employed with American Decorative Fabrics in Gaffney. "It's hard work to move and adjust to new people and places."

Youngleson said it was difficult to get used to people driving on the opposite side of the road, huge supermarkets and the way people speak.

"It was hard getting used to the Southern accent," Youngleson said. "English is my native tongue so I didn't have to learn a new language, just getting used to how people speak."

Although the naturalization process was long, she thinks becoming a citizen should be difficult.

"It's quite hard, but I think that's the way it should be," Youngleson said. "It should be difficult to change your citizenship. It's a big step and should be treated that way."

One week after becoming a United States citizen, South Carolina Education Television notified Youngleson that she had won a 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

Youngleson is a supporter of ETV and had sent in her pledge, not knowing her name would be submitted for the drawing to win the car.

Youngleson is a fan of National Public Radio and ETV radio, especially the programs "American Life," "A Prairie Home Companion" and "Whad'Ya Know."

"It was a total surprise," Youngleson said. "It's a beautiful car, canary yellow with a black top. I'm not that familiar with the muscle cars of the 1950s and '60s, but I was a big fan of 'American Graffiti' even before I came here, so I appreciate the car."

Her 19-year-old son, Griffe, also loves the car.

"He's just nuts about it," Youngleson said. "He's busy doing research, finding out about it."

Youngleson has visited South Africa four times in 10 years, twice for immigration and twice to visit family.

"I don't miss it. I don't think about it," she said. "It's so far away. I still have friends there and in terms of direct family, I don't have much left. My son and I enjoy living in Rutherfordton very much. We like the small-town atmosphere."