45 new U.S. citizens welcomed at naturalization ceremony aboard USS Little Rock

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Forty-five new U.S. citizens were welcomed Thursday during a naturalization ceremony aboard the USS Little Rock at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said the 45 new citizens came from 28 countries.

Among the new citizens were two current military personnel.

Eric Castellanos Flores, originally from Guatemala, is a petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

“I came to the United States, did ROTC in Florida, and then I said, well, this is my calling and I have a few friends in the Coast Guard. They showed me around and I said, yes,” Castellanos Flores said.

Kevin An, a U.S. Army soldier, told 7 News he enjoys every moment of being a citizen.

“No matter where I live or what country I come from, it’s a great experience… joining the U.S. forces, one of the best militaries in the world,” An said.