a series of videos that follow the Nimitz through her journey in Bremerton:

Latest issue of Nimitz News:

Dry Dock A Year in the Yards with USS Nimitz - Episode 2 On The Blocks

We welcome these new citizens!!

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Robert Winn, USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

 

BREMERTON, WASH (May 19, 2011) -  Forty-seven service members from 19 countries reached a milestone May 19 by obtaining U.S. citizenship during the Armed Forces Week Military Naturalization Ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.

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

      U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army personnel were all represented in the two-hour ceremony hosted by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Navy Legal Services Office Northwest and the 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 (CVN 70). 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."

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Bremerton, Wa. (May 19, 2011) – Service members recite the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. Forty-seven Soldiers, Sailors and Airman from 19 countries became U.S. citizens during an Armed Forces Day Naturalization Ceremony hosted by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Navy Legal service Office Northwest and the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service May 19. Sailors from USS Nimitz, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Naval Base Everett, along with Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Base Lewis – McChord and National Guardsmen from Tacoma, Wa. participated in the event. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Winn/released)

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Bremerton, Wa. (May 19, 2011) – Service members recite the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. Forty-seven Soldiers, Sailors and Airman from 19 countries became U.S. citizens during an Armed Forces Day Naturalization Ceremony hosted by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Navy Legal service Office Northwest and the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service May 19. Sailors from USS Nimitz, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Naval Base Everett, along with Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Base Lewis – McChord and National Guardsmen from Tacoma, Wa. participated in the event. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Winn/released)

this is interesting reading.....

Hi...my daughter was assigned to the Nimitz.  She has been in Washington state for about 3 weeks now.  Anyone out there in the Maryland area?

we have a Maryland group:http://www.navydads.com/group/marylanddads

Paul...I'm already a member of that group...I was specifically looking for members who may also have kids/spouse on the Nimitz from this area.

Thanks

It's been too quiet in here folks....I've posted Episode 5 (in 2 parts) and Episode 6 (in 3 parts) of Dry Dock in the video area....this is more than an hour of video from the Nimitz....stop by the Video area and see what your sailors are up to

Still here Paul!! Just wanted to wait until we can comment, just have 6 more days. Hope everyone is doing good, looking forward to our Sailor joining up with the Nimitz. He has done real well wit his Tad, and they would like to keep him. Already taking the test for E-3. Took me 4 years, he will do it in less than 1 1/2. 

Hi Will, my son has been on the Nimitz for about 3 1/2 yrs.

USS Nimitz 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

@Pat....How does your son like it?  I guess it was a big change going from SD to Washington state.  Also I see that your daughter is in the Navy as well and stationed in HI.   I was stationed there 87-91 when I was in the Army.  I was at Field Station Kunia.  Actually my oldest son was born at Crippler, um...I mean Trippler Hospital.

Thanks for all the info Paul!! Son made it back in September from deployment on the USS Chancellorsville CG 62. He is headed to join the Nimitz on Veterans day.

It's soggy up there, but it sure is pretty and there is tons of recreational stuff to do!!!

Hi Wil, sorry I haven't logged in a while. Yes, big difference leaving sunny San Diego to Bremerton:-( Tim didn't like Bremerton initially but I think he's gotten used to it. Don't know if he'll like Everett when the Nimitz changes homeports again, but he should be leaving the Nimitz soon due to PST. My daughter was stationed at NIOC in Kunia aka the tunnel for 3 yrs. She LOVED it there!! She's GSA to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa for a few more months & then hopefully will get orders to a ship or squadron in San Diego (I LOVE San Diego). If she can't get orders there she'll go back to Hawaii. I like Hawaii, but I live on the East Coast & that's a heck of a long flight. You call Tripler Crippler....I call it Pepto Bismol. My daughter had a couple trips to their ER & I can tell you I was not impressed with them at all....must be the nurse in me...lol.  How is your daughter enjoying the Nimitz? What is her rate?

Paul, thanks for posting the Nimitz News. I found out my son got blue jacket of the quarter when I read it on the Nimitz' facebook page the oher day. Tim is to modest to make a big deal of it:-(

My Sailor checked in today. Will report aboard the Nimitz on Monday. Long trip from San Diego.

Pat...I know what you mean about SD.  I've visited there twice, once on business and once for a soccer tourny for my oldest son, and if I ever moved to the West Coast that is where I would go.  The people I experienced were very nice.

Kirsten is is an MR.  She is really starting to enjoy WA state.  Although we shall see how she likes their winters since she has lived in AZ most of her life.  It shall prove quite different I'm sure.  She seems to be adjusting ok and making new friends.  I know it's tough leaving all your friends back at home.  However as I learned during my military career, you make some life long friends in the military.  Thanks to facebook I've reconnected with old friends from my Army days back in the 80's while stationed at Field Station Berlin and Kunia. 

I see that you are in Philly so we are not too far from each other.  I live in Eldersburg, MD. 

Please thank your kids for their service as we celebrate Veterans Day today!!

Wil

Thanks paul!!! Thats our SAILOR!!