Washington, DC — US Representative Ron Paul this week announced his nominees for the US Service Academies. The student’s hometowns span the length of the large and geographically diverse 14th District of Texas. District 14 covers an area including the Texas Gulf Coast, the Coastal Plains and the Texas Hill Country.

Each year, Members of Congress nominate students from their district to the US Military Academy at West Point, NY., the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Co., and the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.

“Being chosen to attend one of the service academies is both a high honor and a serious responsibility,” Paul stated. “The men and women that are appointed receive one of the best educations available. In exchange, they agree to serve their nation in the armed services. Our military needs the strong leadership provided by well educated individuals to be able to defend the liberty that was so hard won and could be so easily lost.”

The students were selected through a rigorous application process that included interviews with Rep. Paul’s Academy Nomination Committee. The committee is made up of community minded individuals representing all parts of the 14th district and include Committee Chairman Don Loucks (USAF, Ret.) of Bastrop, Gen. Edwin Wenglar (USAF, Ret.) of Francitas, Col. Jim Peck (USAF, Ret.) of Lago Vista, Mr. Jim Deats of Blanco, West Point Graduate Dr. Ray Jess of Brazoria County, Mrs. Denise Collier (Asst. Superintendent, Bastrop ISD), Major Simon Benavides of the US Air Force Academy, and Congressman Paul’s military and veterans affairs legislative aide Scott Green.

“Even though the interview process was not easy, the nominees had already completed the most difficult aspect of receiving a nomination prior to their appearance before my nomination committee,” commented Paul. “Their many years of hard work in school, on the sports field and developing their leadership skills were the real test of their abilities. These students represent the best and brightest the 14th District of Texas and the United States have to offer. We would do well to have each one of these fine young men and women serving in our military and leading our nation.”

Rep. Paul has nominated one principal nominee to each of the three military service academies.

For the US Military Academy at West Point, Rep. Paul selected Stoney Portis of Lockhart as his principal nominee. For the principal nomination to the US Naval Academy, Rep. Paul selected Michael James Stoner of Buda . Dan Eric Crow of Lexington received Rep. Paul’s principal nomination to the US Air Force Academy.

While nominated, each candidate must still face further examination by the academies before they are offered an appointment to this year’s class of freshmen cadets and midshipmen.

“I wish each one of these young people well in their endeavors and know they will serve our state and nation well, regardless of whether or not they attend an academy or serve in the military. The people of the 14th District should be proud of each of these young men and women.”

Rep. Paul’s Academy Nominees:

US Military Academy (Army)

Stoney Portis

Lockhart

Principal Nominee

Adam Charles Cmerek

Taylor

Competitive Nomination

Geoffrey Michael Comley

Woodbridge, VA

Competitive Nomination

Richard Alan Cook

Kyle

Competitive Nomination

Justin R Muery

Rockport

Competitive Nomination

Scott Alan Merry

Buda

Competitive Nomination

Paul Wenceslaus Pena

San Marcos

Competitive Nomination

Mark Allen Reid

West Columbia

Competitive Nomination

John David Roaten

Rock Port

Competitive Nomination

Jacob Henry Shalley

Van Vleck

Competitive Nomination

US Naval Academy

(Navy and Marines)

Michael James Stoner

Buda

Principal Nominee

Richard Alan Cook

Kyle

Competitive Nomination

Benjamin Joseph Dullnig

Buda

Competitive Nomination

Daniel James Flake

Dripping Springs

Competitive Nomination

Stephen Mahoney Ford

Victoria

Competitive Nomination

Daniel James Grumman

Victoria

Competitive Nomination

Alan William Kruppa

LaGrange

Competitive Nomination

Grant Wesley Miller

Victoria

Competitive Nomination

Paul Wenceslause Pena

San Marcos

Competitive Nomination

Roxane Wilma Quinones

Cedar Creek

Competitive Nomination

US Air Force Academy

Dan Eric Crow

Lexington

Principal Nominee

Geoffrey Michael Comley

Woodbridge, VA

Competitive Nomination

Benjamin Joseph Dullnig

Buda

Competitive Nomination

Daniel Jame Flake

Dripping Springs

Competitive Nomination

Justin R Muery

Rockport

Competitive Nomination

Erica S Lankford

Luling

Competitive Nomination

Cecilia Concepcion Ramirez

Bay City

Competitive Nomination

John David Roaten

Rockport

Competitive Nomination

James Christopher Sprys

Bay City

Competitive Nomination

Jonathan Armstrong Thomas

Columbus

Competitive Nomination

US Merchant Marine

Geoffrey Michael Comley

Woodbridge, Va

Nomination

Richard Alan Cook

Kyle

Nomination

Dan Eric Crow

Lexington

Nomination

Benjamin Joseph Dullnig

Buda

Nomination

Alan William Kruppa

LaGrange

Nomination

Erica S Lankford

Luling

Nomination

Paul Wenceslaus Pena

San Marcos

Nomination

Stoney Portis

Lockhart

Nomination

Michael James Stoner

Buda

Nomination

Jonathan Armstrong Thomas

Columbus

Nomination

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