Five Livingston County students are among the eight from Michigan’s 8th Congressional District who are heading to U.S. military academies after being nominated by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, who held a virtual ceremony to honor and celebrate them.
Jacob Moscato of Pinckney High School, and Samuel Brennan of Brighton High School are heading to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mitchell Grosso of Hartland High School is off to West Point. Ann Rushing and Katelyn Villa, both of Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor, are heading to West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy respectively.
Each Congressional office is invited to nominate up to 10 candidates each year, per open vacancy at the U.S. Service Academies which include West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. In collaboration with her Service Academy advisory panel, a review board made up of district veterans, Slotkin’s office reviewed candidates, and put forward the names of the top candidates to the U.S. service academies.
Slotkin prepared the following remarks at the virtual Service Academies Reception:
“America’s military, at its finest, is a symbol that the armed might of a great democracy can be a symbol for freedom, not oppression,” Slotkin said. “That is the legacy of which you are now a part. As an individual, this is a remarkable opportunity. You are about to receive an outstanding education and invaluable training, preparing you for almost anything you might want to do in life. You are also receiving great responsibility: from the moment you become a cadet or a midshipman, everything you say and do will reflect on your academy, your service and the institution of the military.
“The fact that you have been selected for such a big responsibility says a lot about you, and I’m confident you will hold up your end of the bargain.”
Slotkin went on to talk about Michigan’s rich military history.
“The legacy you are joining includes Michigan’s own Alamo — the River Raisin battlefield, near Monroe, where U.S. troops were massacred after a battle with the British in 1813. For the rest of the War of 1812, American troops shouted “Remember the Raisin!” as they went into battle.
“It includes the Civil War — it’s President Lincoln saying “Thank God for Michigan!” as our volunteers marched into Washington at the beginning of the war. It’s the Michigan troops of the Iron Brigade holding the line on McPherson Ridge during the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Michigan Wolverine cavalry holding off Jeb Stuart to preserve victory on the last day of the battle.
“It’s the 33rd Michigan Infantry fighting in the trenches of France to win World War I, and it’s the factories of the Arsenal of Democracy defending the world from tyranny in World War II. It’s bombers and fighters on alert at Michigan air bases during the Cold War, protecting our nation from attack.”
Slotkin concluded by adding that these grads are now part of Michigan’s legacy.
“I am very, very proud of each of you,” Slotkin said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what each of you does to seize this opportunity, to make us all proud, and to add to the incredible legacy of our military and of our state’s contribution.”
