Hudson: Military academy nominees symbolic of season

We’re only a few days away from Christmas – one of my favorite holidays of the year.

Through all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, I hope you’ve had time to wrap all your gifts, trim the tree and hang your stockings by the fireplace. I’ve been fortunate to be able to spend the last few days in Concord, meeting with constituents, enjoying the Christmas lights downtown and experiencing the cheerfulness of folks in our community.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson This Week in Washington

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson
This Week in Washington

One of the best parts of my job is the work I do in our community, and I’m so grateful for the time I spend back home. It’s a reminder of my number one priority to serve you and our community by providing top-notch constituent services and being accessible to hear your needs, thoughts and concerns.

On Thursday, I hosted a Military Academy Nomination Ceremony to congratulate students from the 8th District for being nominated to attend our U.S. service academies. I was so inspired by the tremendous group of students and their families who are interested in pursuing this honorable calling to serve in our armed forces. Every year, I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of young men and women to our service academies. In simplest terms, a nomination is a recommendation – it is my stamp of approval that these young men and women will contribute greatly to our service academies. Receiving a nomination from a member of Congress, the vice president or the president is a requirement to be considered for appointment to four of the five service academies: the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

One of my top priorities is providing genuine opportunity for folks in our district, and my responsibility to nominate young men and women to our service academies is something I take very seriously. Each student must complete and submit an application to be considered for a nomination. Once the applications are carefully reviewed by the 8th District Nomination Committee, the students are interviewed by the panel and evaluated by their leadership skills, academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, physical aptitude, character and motivations. The panel then provides me with their recommended nominees for each academy.

This year, it is my privilege to nominate eight of our driven students who are interested in serving our country and a cause greater than oneself. I wish them all the best as they take this extraordinary step and continue to pursue this honorable goal. These young men and women are no just our future – they are our present. It is the work they do now and the work I know they’ll accomplish that will get our country on a better path.

Submitted photo U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, center, stands with young men and women he has nominated to attend military academies.

Submitted photo
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, center, stands with young men and women he has nominated to attend military academies.

Their spirit and determination to serve selflessly so that our nation can continue to be free is a reminder of what the holiday season – and Christmas – is all about. The holiday season is such a special time, but more important than the gifts we receive and the time off from work or school is the true meaning of Christmas – the gift of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us rejoice in knowing He brought peace to this earth.

Renee and I wish you and your loved ones a special holiday season full of love, joy and happiness.

Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Richard Hudson, a Republican, represents the 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes a small part of Mecklenburg County and takes in all or parts of the counties of Cabarrus, Union, Randolph, Rowan, Davidson, Stanly, Anson, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland and Robeson.

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