Each year in Congress, I have the honor of nominating distinguished young men and women in Alabama’s Second District for appointment to our nation’s service academies. And each year, I am blown away by these impressive students who are eager to serve our country.
I was proud to recently announce my 2018 appointments to the United States service academies – the U.S. Air Force, Naval, Military, and Merchant Marine Academies – and I am looking forward to seeing all the great things these outstanding young men and women accomplish for our country and for their communities. I was truly pleased to nominate the following students who then received official appointments to one or more of the academies:
Kaitlin Ann Carpenter, a graduate of Holtville High School, is the daughter of Homer and Kristen Carpenter and Catherine Carpenter. She received an offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy.
Laurence McGrane Dowd, a graduate of Northview High School in Dothan, is the son of John and Donna Dowd. He received an offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Jared Dixon Dykman, a graduate of Enterprise High School, is the son of Dixon Dykman. He received offers of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Naval Academy.
Stephen Carlos Guerrero, a graduate of Prattville High School, is the son of JC and Suzanne Guerrero. He received an offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
Jailyn Mykayl Holt, a graduate of Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) in Montgomery, is the daughter of Edward and Jurilyn Holt. She received an offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
Chandler Cross Jones, a graduate of Andalusia High School and Marion Military Institute, is the son of Troy Jones. Chandler received an offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Connor Michael Rainey, a graduate of Prattville High School and Marion Military Institute, is the son of George and Janet Rainey. He received offers of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
It goes without saying that we have some incredibly bright, talented students in the Second District. These men and women are to be commended for their willingness to serve, their academic excellence, and their unique leadership abilities. I am thrilled to join their families, friends, teachers, and communities in celebrating their outstanding accomplishments.
As these students prepare to enter into military service in a few years, it is critical that we properly fund our military to ensure that they have all the tools they need to do their jobs. The world is a dangerous place, and we face very real threats from around the globe. I am confident that these young men and women from our district will do all they can to ensure our military remains the tip of the spear, but this must also come with the commitment from Congress that we will make sure our troops are properly supported, especially when we send them into harm’s way.
I’m proud to report that the House recently passed H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2019, the annual bill that authorizes funding for military programs throughout the Department of Defense. I was proud to support the NDAA, and I look forward to seeing President Trump sign this legislation into law.
Congress has a constitutional duty to “provide for the common defense” by equipping our Armed Forces with everything they need to fight the enemy, deter threats, and ultimately keep us safe. I am proud that the House followed through on this critically important responsibility for the sake of the entire military and the young men and women from Alabama’s Second District who will soon serve our country after pursuing their educations from our prestigious military academies. In Congress, I consider it one of my greatest responsibilities to support our men and women in uniform, and I will never stop working to ensure our Armed Forces receive proper funding.
Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
