In September, the USPTO Military Association (UMA) celebrated our colleagues who made the decision to become U.S. citizens as well as those who served in the Air Force.

At the Citizenship Day panel, hosted by the UMA and Patent and Trademark Office Society (PTOS) Education Committee, USPTO teammates — including two virtual panelists — shared their citizenship experiences.

“We’re fortunate to have such a diverse group of colleagues at the USPTO. Hearing about their journeys to becoming U.S. citizens was an honor today. We thank them for sharing their stories with us,” said Robin Hylton, UMA president.

UMA Executive Sponsor Fred Steckler offered remarks about what it means to be a citizen.
A cake cutting following the panel celebrated the 77th birthday of the U.S. Air Force. The oldest and youngest U.S. Air Force veteran attendees, Sieg Chencinski and Corrinne Callins, cut the cake together.