Nominating 23 Young Vermonters to U.S. Military Academies

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

This past weekend, I was joined by Senator Peter Welch and Congresswoman Becca Balint at the Vermont State House for a very special event. We were there to recognize 23 young Vermonters whom we are nominating to United States military service academies for the class of 2030. We were pleased that many proud parents and siblings joined us, as well as five Vermonters who are currently attending one or another academy. The academies are:

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
• U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York
• U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado

As part of the event the applicants were asked to discuss their commitment to public service and why they wanted to serve in the military. Their responses were inspiring. Naval Academy nominee Nora Ward of South Londonderry shared that she is going to the academy because she wants to become a doctor and help care for people. Grady Gallagher of Chittenden said that he is drawn to the Air Force Academy because of the camaraderie — that he played football in high school and really loves being a part of a team and working together toward a shared purpose. Throughout the discussion, it was clear to me that these young people are smart, dedicated and ready to work hard to meet their goals.

Following the roundtable in the House chamber, Senator Welch, Congresswoman Balint and I presented each nominee with their certificates in the Cedar Creek Room. This room, and the large painting within, commemorates the Battle of Cedar Creek — the Civil War battle where the greatest number of Vermont regiments saw action and played a prominent role. Each year, I am reminded of how fitting this backdrop is for the event given Vermont’s long, proud history of military service.

I know all Vermonters join me in wishing these nominees the best of luck for their future. Those who are selected and graduate from one of the military academies will attend tuition-free and be commissioned into the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine or Space Force, with a five to eight-year service obligation. This can be a great opportunity for the right students and I encourage any Vermont high school student interested in learning more about attending a U.S. service academy to visit: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vermont/services/academies/ 

The following students were selected by members of Vermont’s congressional delegation. Their nominations have been submitted to the academies, which will make final admissions decisions.

Jack Ahmann, Burlington — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Thomas Cotter, Mendon — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Connor Decker, Waterford — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Adam Dufor, Windsor — U.S. Military Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Cavan Farrell, Berlin — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Grady Gallagher, Chittenden — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders 

Sawyer Garthaffner, Addison — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Neave Glennon, Burlington — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Ethan Gratton, Barton — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Aidan Keough-Vella, Bridgewater Corners — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Roy Lucas, Norwich — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Cannon Martin, Fayston — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Cade Mulcahey, Essex Junction — U.S. Military Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Magnus Nilsson, Shelburne — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Griffin Norton, Rutland — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Amelia Pinkham, Saint Albans — U.S. Naval Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Francis Robinson V, Richmond — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Kai Schulz, Williston — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Leona Smith, Jericho — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

John Underwood, Morrisville — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Davin Visconti, West Townshend — U.S. Naval Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch 

Nora Ward, South Londonderry — U.S. Naval Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint 

Beck Welch, White River Junction — U.S. Air Force Academy
Nominated by: Sanders, Welch, Balint

Sincerely,