ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Coast Guard Cutter Resolute crew member took the Oath of Allegiance Tuesday aboard the cutter in St. Petersburg to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Seaman Samuel Gonzalez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, joined the Coast Guard in 2015 and began the naturalization process.
Gonzalez was required to take part in a series of tests and interviews administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as a part of the process.
"This day is something I have been working toward my entire life," said Gonzalez. "My Resolute family being present was the best part, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else but my shipmates on this cutter."
To be able to serve in the Coast Guard, an applicant must be either a U.S. citizen or a foreign national legally residing in the United States.
The Resolute is a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in St. Petersburg.