HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah - From the quaint countryside of Venezuela to the towering mountains of the Wasatch Front, Airman First Class Lowell Minick's journey to becoming a United States citizen is a testament to the American dream and the diverse paths that lead individuals to serve in the U.S. military.
"We moved to Katy, Texas, which was a change of pace from where I was in Venezuela. It was a very fast city, but I am thankful for the education and opportunities that I have been given when I moved here, so I wanted to pay it back," Minick said.
When he arrived in the United States for the first time at the age of 15, Minick found a deep sense of gratitude for his newfound home. After high school, Minick decided to pursue a path of service by joining the United States Air Force. Currently, he is assigned to the 388th Logistics Support Squadron, and crafts Deployable Spares Packages for troop deployments and F-35 sustainment.
"I've always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, and it was an easy transition into the Air Force because Lackland was just down the road," he chuckled.
This month, Airman Minick officially became a naturalized citizen, a significant milestone for himself and his family. The citizenship ceremony is somewhat rare in a military courtroom, held with great pride and emotion, and symbolized the culmination of his journey.
"Becoming a U.S. citizen is an honor that goes beyond words. I know some people take it for granted, I'm just happy to be here and be a part of a great team and help people" Minick said.