Ruth Esfeld still shakes when recalling being shot at by Russians flying overhead in 1945.

"It was chaos," the teary-eyed Coeur d'Alene woman said. "The Russian front came so close overnight that we had to flee with nothing."

Esfeld fled East Prussia with her mother, running and walking for several days and staying in any homes and churches that would take them in until they reached safety in the port city of Gdansk in Poland.

That traumatic experience will be at the opposite end of Esfeld's emotional spectrum today when she'll be sworn in as a United States citizen during a regional naturalization ceremony in Spokane.

"I will be proud to be an American," the 85-year-old said with a wide grin. "I love America and I love American people. They are so open-minded, helpful and kind. I feel like I really belong here."

Esfeld, who has lived in Germany most of her life, will be among 101 people from 36 countries who will be sworn in during Law Day, which President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed in 1958 to celebrate our heritage of liberty.

After escaping as a refugee and going through a divorce later on, life began to turn around for Esfeld. Shortly after her divorce, Herman Esfeld, who was living in Michigan and knew a childhood friend of Ruth's, called Ruth in Germany out of the blue one day in 1981.

"I said, 'I don't know a Herman. Should I know you?'" Ruth said.

Herman, who was born in America but has relatives in Germany, was a president of a German-American club at the time.

Within a few weeks, Herman flew to Germany to meet Ruth in person. After just a few days of getting to know each other, Herman brought roses, dropped to his knees and proposed to Ruth.

"I came, I saw and I conquered," Herman said with a smile.

Ruth had a different perspective.

"After three days, I was scared," she said. "I loved him, yes, but I thought, 'My God, we don't hardly know each other.'"

Ruth's point was well taken and the two corresponded before getting married in 1982. On Monday, the couple will celebrate their 31st anniversary.

The two moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1991 because of Ruth's allergies to mold in Michigan and Herman saw an article that stated Coeur d'Alene was one of the top retirement communities in the country. The clincher was Coeur d'Alene's low humidity.

Ruth has remained in the country with a green card since she was married.

She said there are multiple reasons she didn't become a U.S. citizen earlier.

"I wanted to be 100 percent sure and, over the years, I fell in love with America and the American people," she said, wiping back tears. "I was also afraid of the American history test (a requirement to become a citizen).

"But now I'm ready. It's never too late."

A beaming Herman bought Ruth a red, white and blue bouquet of flowers with a flag to celebrate Ruth's milestone. Today, the two are enjoying retirement in a complex that overlooks the Riverstone park and has access to the multi-use development's trails.

"I couldn't be more proud of her," Herman said. "I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. We're still chasing each other."

Ruth described becoming a U.S. citizen as a "solemn and serious" occasion. She's ecstatic about being able to vote here for the first time.

"I like to know what's going on and I want to vote for people who will do good," she said. "I can hardly wait."