There are only a few life events that can carry the label, “once in a lifetime.”

Moving from the country of your birth to take up residence is one of those events. Even more so is choosing to become a citizen of that new country.

Those are two big steps which often mean cutting ties with part of your history to embrace a new reality and future.

In May of 2016 we met Juan and shortly thereafter he joined our team. Juan came to the USA after marrying his wife Melanie. (The story of how they met is another one to tell at a later date.)

Soon after meeting the requirement of living in the USA for three years after marrying a US Citizen, Juan, started the process of becoming a citizen. Granted, this is a detailed process. Here are a few of the steps as explained on the website: https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen

Becoming a citizen through naturalization is a process in which a non-U.S. citizen voluntarily becomes an American citizen. U.S. citizens owe their allegiance to the United States and are entitled to its protection and to exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Have had a Permanent Resident (Green) Card for at least five years, or for at least three years if you’re filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen
Meet certain eligibility requirements including being
- At least 18 years old at the time of filing
- Able to read, write, and speak basic English
- A person of good moral character
Go through the ten step naturalization process which includes
- Determining your eligibility to become an American citizen
- Preparing and submitting form N-400, the application for naturalization
- Taking the U.S. Naturalization Test and having a personal interview

We have been following Juan’s progress as works through the ten-step naturalization process. A few weeks ago he passed the Naturalization Test, last week he passed the interview portion and this week Juan was sworn in as a US Citizen. Some of our team went to our state capital and witnessed the ceremony.

And…yesterday day we celebrated his accomplishment.

We pulled this off Juan’s Facebook page:

“I want to thank all my family in Mexico and my family in the United States, for all the support, to my friends in Mexico and friends in the United States, for all the support provided in this long process. And my friends and brothers of Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus for all their support in order to achieve this & thanks to Work at Brindlee for all the support”

We could not be more proud of Juan and his choice to pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

Juan, you have always been a brother at work and we are thankful God placed you on our team as you live out our values and now we lock arms with you as a fellow citizen of the United States of America.

Once In A Lifetime