Forty-seven Service Members Raise Right Hands, Become U.S. Citizens

Bremerton, Wash (NNS) -- Forty-seven service members from 19 countries reached a obtaining U.S. citizenship during the Armed Forces Week Military Naturalization Ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, May 19.

The ceremony marked the final step in a long process each service member completed in order to become an American citizen.

The Navy, Air Force and Army were all represented in the two-hour ceremony hosted by aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Navy Legal Services Office Northwest, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

"I joined the Navy two years ago," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Baxter from Kingston, Jamaica, serving with Nimitz. "My sister joined shortly thereafter. She's serving on the USS Carl Vinson. She was the one to motivate me to become a citizen though. She just got hers and then helped me in getting mine."

"I started my process immediately after I joined the Army," said Pfc. Kenneth Melendez from Calasiao, Philippines, serving with the Alpha 52nd Infantry Regiment. "I did it all through boot camp. My drill sergeants helped me out a lot by scheduling me for my appointments, interviews, and put me in line with whomever I needed to contact."

These service members have proven they can accomplish anything they set their mind to, said Nimitz Command Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen. "Why would you want to come to America? You Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen can answer this question because you know America was, is and always will be the greatest land of opportunity the world has ever known."

Each service member cited a different reason for obtaining citizenship but they all strived for the same goal - to give back through military service.

"I started (this process) in middle school," said Army Pfc. Nestor Cortezcarrietes, from Mexico, serving with 22-21 Bravo Company. "I didn't know English so I started working on it, then joined the Army when I got old enough. Now I'm doing something I've always wanted to do thanks to this country, so why not give back." Cortezcarrietes explained that his motivation to become a citizen was to have the chance to make his voice heard. "I wanted to get noticed, to put my vote out there," he said. "Now I have the chance to better myself, better my family, and the people who gave me the chance to be here and move up."

Family support served as the driving force for many of the new citizens to complete the naturalization process. Behind the rows of service members, family members smiled and cheered while each walked up to receive their certificate of naturalization.

Each new citizen will have to finish carrying out his or her enlistment before deciding whether or not to remain in the military. "I'm going to reenlist in the Navy," said Baxter. "But I think after that, I'm going to get out and take advantage of my G.I. Bill."

Lloyd-Owen offered one final piece of advice to the new American citizens.

"Stay true to your heritage, because it is this melting pot of America, and all the nations that make her up, which makes us as strong as we are today."

For more news from USS Nimitz, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/.