[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 107 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING LOCAL 2015 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FOR THEIR DECISION TO 
  ENLIST IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND OUR COMMUNITY SALUTES OF 
  NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOR HOSTING THE FIFTH ANNUAL ENLISTEE RECOGNITION 
                                CEREMONY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 25 graduating seniors 
in my community for their record of academic and athletic 
accomplishments and for their admirable decision to enlist in the 
United States Air Force. I also express my appreciation to Our 
Community Salutes of Northern Virginia for providing this opportunity 
to be among the first to say to each of these young men and women: 
``Thank you.''
  I have had the privilege of working with Our Community Salutes of 
Northern Virginia since its inception in 2011. That year my office was 
contacted by one of the founding parents who upon learning that her son 
and other students at his school who had decided to enlist would not 
receive any recognition during graduation, joined with other parents to 
organize the first enlistee recognition ceremony of its kind in the 
region. The first ceremony recognized 9 students; this year we will be 
honoring 133 local students for choosing to serve our country in 
uniform.
  With graduation season upon us, thousands of young people in my 
community, and millions across the nation, are preparing for the next 
chapter in their lives. Some will pursue higher education or vocational 
training, others will seek to enter the workforce immediately, and many 
will answer the call to serve their community and their country.
  The United States of America has distinguished itself from other 
nations through the entrepreneurship and spirit of our people, the 
knowledge that we can achieve any goal if we set our minds to it, our 
inherent compassion and generosity, our fierce patriotism, and the 
extraordinary sacrifices and dedication to country exhibited by the 
members of our Armed Forces. The young men and women from our community 
who will be enlisting possess an abundance of each of these qualities. 
I join with their families and friends in congratulating and commending 
the following graduates on their enlistment in the United States Air 
Force:
  John Ainslie, Philip Baitinger, Merrilee Carder, Valeria Catacora, 
Brian Daley, Nikhil Deo, Gary Dixon, John Forsythe, Maximino Gabino, 
Patrick Hailey, Jazlyn Keating, Jun Pyo Kim, Edward Kowalski, Kellen 
Lovan, Lane Renner, Tran Robinson, Alexa Rolph, Kelsea Ross, Demay 
Thong, Robinson Tran, Henry Tran, Justin Von Feldt, Shawn Von Feldt, 
James Wayne, and Logan Wood.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the courage 
and dedication of these graduates and in assuring them and their 
families that the full support and resources of the U.S. Congress and 
the American people will be behind them on every step of their journey 
in defense our nation's freedom.

                          ____________________