45 new American citizens welcomed during naturalization ceremony aboard USS Little Rock

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

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

Among the new citizens were two active 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, ‘This is up to me, I have some friends in the Coast Guard. They showed me around and I said, ‘Yes,'” Castellanos Flores said.

Kevin An is a soldier in the United States Army. He told 7 News he is now enjoying every moment as a citizen.

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