U.S. Army Lieutenant Ryan Collins is a West Point graduate who now leads the 1st Platoon of the 556th Signal Company, which is part of the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Striker Brigade. He is from Alaska, and was appointed to West Point by two of the current members of the Alaska congressional delegation. He’s agreed to help our Alaska Youth Advisory Council get congressional co-sponsors and endorsements. And he’s even agreed to write a letter to the editor to the Anchorage newspapers – all the way from Iraq.

When asked why he was willing in helping us, here is what Lt. Collins wrote in an email to me:

“I believe in the necessity and the fulfillment that public service brings to people’s lives. The necessity of professional public servants leading our nation in a variety of different career fields cannot be overstated.  If we are going to be educating tomorrow’s leaders then it is a moral imperative that we see to an education that is equally steeped in virtue and professional ethics as it is a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum.  Personally, I would be satisfied knowing that I took an active role in modeling an institution that would mold civil leaders into educated, mentally tough, and ethical individuals.”

As we approach July 4, the celebration of our country’s independence, I hope you will keep Lt. Collins and his platoon in your thoughts and prayers.

Over at www.ohmygov.com, YACers have been hitting the comment boards big time urging Senator Obama to co-sponsor S. 960, the Academy bill on the Senate side.  Thank you ohmygov.com for being a “proud supporter” of the Academy!

Help us out by commenting here and also getting in touch with Obama’s Senate office.   Call his Senate office TODAY! 202-224-2854 and ask to speak to the aides who handle Homeland Security issues (our bill has been referred to that committee).  Tell them you heard the Wesleyan speech and know about the Academy and want his support.  And tell everyone you know in Illinois to call twice!

Yesterday, Senator Barack Obama delivered the commencement address at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.  He spoke in place of Senator Edward Kennedy who is recuperating after a seizure caused by a brain tumor several days ago.  Senator Obama focused his entire speech on Kennedy’s chosen theme of public service, a topic he continues to press on the presidential campaign trail as well.  (Kennedy is already a co-sponsor of the Academy bill - S. 960 -  and we are currently seeking Sen. Obama’s support!)

The NY Times noted that “symbolism of protégé and mentor permeated the address,” but it was the focus on service that caught my attention.  Obama has finally gotten comfortable telling his story to voters outside of Illinois, and it is a story of service.  In the address, he told the graduates about his desire to serve, even in the face of advice to go to law school and start his high-paying law career as soon as possible.  However, he did something different, he wrote letters.  He describes writing letters to “every [service] organization in the country I could think of.”  One finally yielded an offer, a church group in Chicago organizing the community struggling to deal with the hardships caused by the closing of steel mills.  Even though he knew no one in Chicago, and his mother and grandparents balked, he jumped right in.  It was through service that he found himself and was “embraced” by the community he had imagined.

Obama’s letter writing made me think of one thing only: the letters written by our YACers to their Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen asking for their sponsorship of the Academy.   Not to mention all the letters written by volunteers and supporters at Letter Writing Parties!  These very letters are what making this dream a reality.  The power of this small act, this persistence, is creating the opportunity for future college students to attend the Academy to carry on the tradition and obligation of service to country.  Obama also said, “you have an obligation to yourself, because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation.”  The YACers who participate today are doing so not so they can attend the Academy as an individual, instead they are creating the opportunity for the collective of others to follow.