Spanish Main celebrates citizenship with employee

At Spanish Main Yacht Club, a party was in order after the annual homeowners’ meeting.

Armando Nino, an employee with the yacht club since 2006, recently received his American citizenship, and on Feb. 12, his longtime friends and acquaintances helped him celebrate his achievement with a surprise party. Nino’s wife, Judith, and daughter Diana also attended the party and received a standing ovation from the gathered homeowners.

“My mother, sister and I want to thank you all for the support and the love that you have shown to my father and to us all,” Diana said. “You all are very special and will always be in our hearts. We love you all.”

The residents of Spanish Main teamed up to provide Nino and his family with gift cards for Southwest Airlines, so he can visit his other daughter and grandchild in Atlanta; gift cards for Home Depot to help with projects Nino is working on at his own home; and money to take his wife out to a nice dinner.

“He’s always consistent in his care and concern for us,” Board President Pat Knudson said.

Nino worked for almost a year to earn his citizenship, and multiple residents fought through the packed clubhouse to offer a hug and congratulations. It was impossible to be in the room and not hear of the myriad ways Nino has impacted the community with his work and friendship over the years.

After Nino and his family thanked the crowd, they slowly made their way to their seats with a plateful of classic American picnic food — sandwiches, chips and a slice off the massive American-flag-decorated cake — as Neil Diamond’s iconic “America” played in the background.