Nominees have made a courageous decision to serve

Despite all the trials and travails our service men and women go through, it’s heartening that the spirit of service still runs strong among the generations coming up through the ranks.

On Thursday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced 10 nominations from his district for U.S. service academies — all of whom are expected to join the class of 2017.

Among them is Angelique Joeann Margve, a John Burroughs High School student who was nominated to the Military and Naval academies. And James Richard Martinez-Baenen, a Burbank High School student, was nominated to three academies: Air Force, Military and Naval.

To gain entry to the prestigious institutions is no small feat. Four of the five United States service academies — Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military at West Point, and Navy — require a Congressional nomination in order to receive an appointment.

But in seeking out the appointments, these young people are sending a clear message that they are willing to, at such an early stage in their life, declare their service to our nation. The education may be at no cost , but in return, they are groomed for an officer’s commission in the Armed Forces. It’s a commitment that brings a world of danger and uncertainty, and for that, we thank them.