Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

On Saturday, June 10th, Congressman Jim Himes hosted members of the military service academy class of 2027, their families, and selection committee members for a sendoff celebration at VFW Post 399, on Riverside Avenue in Westport. All of the members of the class are from the CT 4th Congressional District which Congressman Himes has represented since 2009.

Pictured above, left is Jim Maxfield U.S. Naval Academy graduate with Congressman HImes. At far right photo are  Sean and Jonathan Dalrymple of Westport. Jonathan on the right will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He is the younger brother of Sean who was selected and nominated for his second preferred choice Service Academy back in 2016. He decided however to enlist in the U.S Navy which was his first choice and where he served for six years training in Cyber Security. Their father Brian Dalrymple Murray is exceptionally proud to have two great sons eager to serve their country.

Four of the students ate the VFW event are from Westport. Zach Rosemy and Grant Zeigler, both Staples grads will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, Sam Cherry who graduated the Hopkins School, and Jonathan Dalrymple who is graduating from Weston HS and headed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Following remarks by Congressman Himes was Jim Maxfield, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD in 1989. He spoke about his experience at the Naval Academy and the tremendous opportunity before them in their military careers, their paths to becoming a community leader afterwards and the success they will likely find in any career they chose as a result of the education and training they will receive at the some of the world's premier military service academies.

Upon graduation, the newly commissioned officers commit to serving in the military for a minimum of five years after graduation. The number of years can increase if the students become pilots.

The VFW space was filled with proud parents and family members listening intently to Himes and Maxfield and after the remarks the students and family got an opportunity to meet and talk with each other and further speak with the Congressman and Mr. Maxfield.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Both Himes and Maxfield touched upon the fact that so many of the members of the U.S. armed forces are young men and women who are performing their duties at some of the highest levels of service, whether it be upon the flight deck or other specialty aboard a 13 billion dollar aircraft carrier, or flying or maintaining 70 or 80 million dollar 5th generation fighter aircraft, or in the increasingly more vital role of cyber security. Both speakers noted the significance of an 18 year old individual being willing to make such at commitment.

Pictured above, left is Jim Maxfield U.S. Naval Academy graduate with Congressman HImes. At far right photo are  Sean and Jonathan Dalrymple of Westport. Jonathan on the right will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He is the younger brother of Sean who was selected and nominated for his second preferred choice Service Academy back in 2016. He decided however to enlist in the U.S Navy which was his first choice and where he served for six years training in Cyber Security. Their father Brian Dalrymple Murray is exceptionally proud to have two great sons eager to serve their country.