Our Finest Make Us Proud a message from your publisher

Again this year I was honored to be chosen to be on Congressman Byron Donalds’ Military Academy
Nomination Selection Committee. We interviewed 19 candidates who were applying for admission to the following academies:

• UNITED STATES MILITARY
ACADEMY AT WEST POINT

• UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY IN
COLORADO SPRINGS

• UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY IN
ANNAPOLIS

• UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE
ACADEMY AT KINGS POINT NEW YORK

All 19 had completed and submitted the necessary applications, filled out any reports needed including medical and other written work. We interviewed the 19 candidates over three days starting in the morning and ending up late afternoon. As each candidate would enter the room for their interview you could see the nervousness in their eyes but also a look of excitement for the position they all badly wished to qualify for. All areas of Congressman Donalds’ district had representation, which was what he had hoped for.

When applicants were asked why they had applied we received many reasons from the quality of the education they would receive, the adventure they would take part in and the challenge of being an Academy student. One thought that was mentioned by everyone of the applicants was that they wished to serve their country. We would walk away at the end of each day very proud of the caliber of young men and women that we had met that day.

As future leaders of our country these young people are willing to not only make a long commitment to serve their country but also to put themselves in harm’s way when needed. It made me and the other committee members proud to be a part of the process and proud to be an American. I’m sure had you been there you would have felt the same.